# NTSB LAX92LA114: Bell 206BIII, N3903L, San Ardo, CA, February 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1992, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: San Ardo, CA
- Coordinates: 36.089878, -120.819252 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0899&lon=-120.8193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27555/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA114

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO LAND IN A PLOWED FIELD MADE SOFT FROM WINTER RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, standing - engine(s) operating
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL POWER OUTAGE IN THE AREA. HE HAD THREE POWER COMPANY PATROLMEN ON BOARD. AFTER PATROLLING VARIOUS POWER LINES AND SPUR CONNECTIONS, THEY CAME TO A POLE THAT THE PATROLMAN IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT WANTED TO INSPECT MORE CLOSELY. AFTER HOVERING NEAR THE POLE FOR A SHORT TIME PATROLMAN ASKED IF THEY COULD LAND. THE PILOT SAID HE INSPECTED THE LANDING AREA, CHOOSING A FAIRLY LEVEL SPOT AND TOUCHED DOWN. AS HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE, THE SKIDS SANK INTO THE SOIL. STABILIZING THE HELICOPTER WITH CYCLIC, HE TOLD TWO PATROLMEN ON THE LEFT SIDE TO DEPLANE. THEY DISEMBARKED, CLOSING THE DOORS. SUDDENLY THE SOIL UNDER THE LEFT REAR SKID TUBE GAVE WAY AND THE HELICOPTER TIPPED LEFT AND TO THE REAR, WHERE THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO ROLL LEFT AND THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE GROUND REVEALED THAT IT WAS SOFT, RECENTLY PLOWED DIRT MOIST FROM RECENT RAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3903L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206BIII
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3230
- Airframe hours: 4102
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Aris Helicopters, Ltd.
- Registered owner: Aris Helicopters, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 15, 1991, 34 hours before
- Departed: KIC, KING CITY, CA
- Airport: Plowed Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 6,950 total, 800 in this make and model, 6,850 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920210002349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920210002349A), Feb 10, 1992: Bell 206B3, San Ardo, CA, Substantial damage. Landed to let lineman out to check powerline,skids sank in soft ground. Left skid gave way,helicopter rolled over.

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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