# NTSB LAX94LA221: Bell 206A, N206HS, Ukiah, CA, May 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1994, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Ukiah, CA
- Coordinates: 39.119182, -123.280792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1192&lon=-123.2808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA221

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness event and a subsequent loss of directional control.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was on approach to a ridge line landing zone. He said he was passing through translational lift at 20 knots and 70 feet when a gust of wind induced a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a resultant loss of directional control.  The pilot reported that the helicopter began to spin and he could not regain directional control prior to ground contact. After the impact sequence, a ground fire erupted which consumed the helicopter. The helicopter was an early model Bell 206A and was equipped with the small tail rotor.

## Factual narrative

On May 20, 1994, at 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206A helicopter, N206HS, collided with the ground near Ukiah, California, following a loss of control during a landing approach.  The helicopter was operated by the pilot and was on a personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the operation.  The helicopter was consumed by a postimpact ground fire.  The certificated private pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries.

The flight originated from a private helipad near Piercy, California, about 1445 hours on the day of the accident as a personal flight to a private helipad at the accident site.

In a telephone conversation, the pilot stated that he was on  approach to a ridge line landing zone.  He said he was passing through translational lift at 20 knots and 70 feet above ground when a gust of wind induced a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a resultant loss of directional control.  The pilot reported that the helicopter began to spin and he could not regain directional control prior to ground contact.  After the impact sequence, a ground fire erupted which consumed the helicopter.

The helicopter was an early model Bell 206A and was equipped with the small tail rotor.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N206HS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N206HS-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 526 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206A
- Registry model: [Bell 206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206a) (registry code 1181508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 526
- Airframe hours: 8770
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C18 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Petersen, Dane A.
- Registered owner: Helix Airtrek, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 1994, 12 hours before
- Departed: NONE, PIERCY, CA
- Airport: NONE, Private Helipad

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 126 total, 59 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19940520012259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940520012259A), May 20, 1994: Bell 206A, Ukiah, CA, Destroyed. Landing on ridge wind gust caused loss tail rotor effect. Began spin. Impacted and burned. Early small tail rotor.

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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