# NTSB LAX92LA029: Bell 206B, N3456M, Vallejo, CA, October 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1991, 21:56 local (Oct 26, 1991, 04:56 UTC)
- Place: Vallejo, CA
- Coordinates: 38.090522, -122.250656 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0905&lon=-122.2507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27489
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27489/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA029

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND IMPROPER ALTITUDE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS LOW CEILINGS, POOR VISIBILITY, AND RESTRICTED VISUAL LOOKOUT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - electrical tower (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED AIRLINE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS DEPARTED IN A HELICOPTER FOR THE PLANNED DESTINATION AIRPORT, LOCATED ABOUT 27 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE DEPARTURE POINT. THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING IN WHICH VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO LOW CEILINGS AND LOW VISIBILITY. THE PILOT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA. THE PILOT RECEIVED A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE THROUGH AN AIRPORT TRAFFIC AREA, DEPARTING TO THE NORTHWEST. ABOUT 20 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER PARALLELING A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE WEATHER WAS REPORTED TO BE A 200 FOOT OVERCAST CEILING, GUSTY WINDS, HEAVY RAIN, AND VISIBILITY OF ABOUT 1/2 MILE. THE WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER STRIKE THE TOP OF A 223 FOOT HIGH TRANSMISSION TOWER AND EXPLODE. THE LOCATION OF THE TRANSMISSION LINE WAS MARKED ON THE AREA SECTIONAL CHART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3456M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3456M-1994-01-05), registration cancelled 1994-01-05, S/N 1391 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1391
- Airframe hours: 6279
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Corporate Mobility, Inc
- Registered owner: Corporate Mobility, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 5, 1991, 7 hours before
- Departed: CONCORD, CA
- Destination: O56, NOVATO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,541 total, 301 in this make and model, 4,306 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19911025048009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911025048009A), Oct 25, 1991: Bell 206B, Vallejo, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck an electrical tower while flying at 200 ft AGL in heavy rain,fog,low ceiling. Airmets for IMC for area.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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