# NTSB LAX93FA093: Bell 206B, N3202A, Hayward, CA, January 13, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1993, 20:23 local (Jan 13, 1993, 04:23 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, CA
- Coordinates: 37.670291, -122.079795 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6703&lon=-122.0798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93FA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA093

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS AND RAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - water,rough
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT CFR PART 135 CARGO FLIGHT, THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER PILOT AND A CREW MEMBER RECEIVED COMPANY INSTRUCTIONS TO DIVERT FROM THE INTENDED ROUTE OF FLIGHT TO ANOTHER DESTINATION.  THE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN THE AREA INCLUDED AREAS OF LOW CEILINGS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO RAIN.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CROSS A COASTAL BAY IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION IN AN AREA OF LIMITED VISUAL CUES AND DECIDED TO REVERSE HIS COURSE.  THE PILOT CONTINUED SOUTH AND AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO CROSS THE BAY NEAR A BRIDGE THAT SPANNED THE BAY.  A WITNESS OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER DESCENDING BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE BRIDGE WHERE VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 1/4 MILE IN RAIN.  THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE WATER ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE SHORE AND ABOUT 400 YARDS SOUTH OF THE BRIDGE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE PILOT HAD OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEFING THAT INCLUDED AREAS OF MARGINAL VFR DUE TO RAIN AND FOG, THUNDERSTORMS, AND SEVERAL AIRMETS AND SIGMETS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3202A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3202A-1995-04-26), registration cancelled 1995-04-26, S/N 962 (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: 962
- Airframe hours: 10490
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Helinet Corp., doing business as Helinet Aviation Services
- Registered owner: F.D.S. Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 5, 1992, 57 hours before
- Departed: 056, NOVATO, CA
- Destination: SFO, SAN FRANCISCO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,925 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 3,900 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWD, 4 nm away

## 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 19930112000309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930112000309A), Jan 12, 1993: Bell 206B, Hayward, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Trying to cross a bay in heavy rain and fog. Flew unplanned into water. IMC airmets and sigmets out 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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