# NTSB LAX96LA194: Bell 206B, N16726, Barstow, CA, February 6, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 6, 1996, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Barstow, CA - Coordinates: 34.969192, -116.990516 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9692&lon=-116.9905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 10, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29439 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29439/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA194 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate terrain clearance, while maneuvering around a ground vehicle at low altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was transporting a producer and a cameraman for the purpose of photographing an automobile on a dry lake bed. According to the pilot, he proceeded to orbit around the forward moving car from an initial altitude between 50 and 100 feet above ground level, with an airspeed between 40 and 50 knots. The orbit was about 1/2 completed and the helicopter was starting to 'come up' behind the car, when the helicopter entered a descent. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent with aft cyclic and full engine power. Subsequently, the helicopter contacted the ground and was damaged. The local wind was reported to be less than 5 knots. Reportedly, there was no mechanical malfunction of the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On February 6, 1996, at 1145 hours Pacific standard time, a Bell 206B, N16726, operated by West Coast Helicopters, Inc., descended into terrain while maneuvering during a photographic assignment at the Coyote Dry Lake, about 15 nautical miles north of Barstow, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and neither the commercial pilot nor the two passengers were injured. The flight originated from the Coyote Dry Lake at 1115. According to the pilot, during the flight a producer occupied the helicopter's left front seat, and a cameraman occupied the right rear seat. The purpose of the flight was to film a car commercial. The pilot stated that he initially was flying between 50 and 100 feet above ground level. The pilot reported that when the accident sequence began he was flying between 40 and 50 knots, and was maneuvering in a right orbit around a forward moving car. When the orbit was about 1/2 completed and he was starting to come up behind the car, the helicopter entered a nose low descent. The pilot further reported that he was unable to arrest the descent utilizing full aft cyclic and full engine power. The helicopter contacted the ground in a nose low attitude with little forward airspeed. At the time, the local wind was less than 5 knots. The pilot stated that no mechanical malfunctions were experienced with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16726](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N16726), registered now, S/N 2122, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce M250 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-m250-series) (registry code 54260, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2122 - Airframe hours: 5822 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: West Coast Helicopters, Inc. - Registered owner: Boyd P. Kelly - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1995, 98 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,700 total, 163 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 174 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °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 19960206010299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960206010299A), Feb 6, 1996: Bell 206B, Barstow, CA, Substantial damage. Photo flight low and slow. Entered descending with power and impacted ground nose low. Too low slow and light wind. ## Other investigations on N16726 (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN25LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA232), Jul 1, 2025: Bell 206B (N16726), Edgerton, MO, substantial damage, investigation ongoing 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.