# NTSB LAX95LA310: Bell 206BIII, N206MT, Carmel Valley, CA, August 28, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1995, 13:41 local (20:41 UTC)
- Place: Carmel Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.389247, -121.649856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3892&lon=-121.6499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA310

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstructions while hovering.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover - in ground effect
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor - blade strike
  - rotor system,tail rotor - separation
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS HOVERING WITH A 50-FOOT-LONG LINE OVER A CANYON COVERED BY BRUSH AND OAK TREES. THE TAIL ROTOR INADVERTENTLY CONTACTED A TREE. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN AND DESCENDED INTO THE TREES.

## Factual narrative

On August 28, 1995, at 1341 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206BIII helicopter, N206MT, collided with trees following a tail rotor contact to a tree while hovering in the Los Padres National Forest near Carmel Valley, California.  The aircraft was owned and operated by West Wind Helicopters, Inc., of Lincoln, California, and was engaged in long line operations in support of drug eradication efforts by the Monterey County Sheriff's Office. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated from a staging area near the site on the day of the accident about 1330 hours.

In a written statement to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, the pilot reported that he was hovering with a  50-foot-long line over a canyon covered by brush and oak trees.  The tail rotor inadvertently contacted a tree.  The helicopter began to spin and descended into the trees.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N206MT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N206MT-2005-06-20), registration cancelled 2005-06-20, S/N 2276, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206BIII
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2276
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: West Wind Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,900 total, 2,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRY, 18 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 19950828048429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950828048429A), Aug 28, 1995: Bell 206B3, Monterey, CA, Destroyed. (-16) The operator was working with the Monterey county sheriff's department, looking for marijuana growers in the los padres national forest. During the…

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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