# NTSB LAX97LA317: Bell 206B, N770GG, Napa, CA, September 8, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1997, 10:06 local (17:06 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.549972, -122.149475 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5500&lon=-122.1495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA317
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29897/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA317

## Probable cause

Failure of the pilot to perform an adequate preflight, which resulted in him failing to notice and release the tie down chains.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, taxi - to takeoff
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,aircraft tie-down(s) - not removed (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - dynamic rollover - not corrected, pilot in command

## Analysis

The helicopter attempted to taxi to takeoff with the tie down chains still attached, it rolled over and a 3-foot section of the main rotor blades separated and penetrated the side of a building and landed on a desk.  The pilot reported that he did not routinely tie the aircraft down at night.  Ramp personnel tied the aircraft down the night before due to high winds at the airport.  The pilot said that he performed his preflight and did not look down at the skids, nor did he notice the tie down chains.

## Factual narrative

On September 8, 1997, at 1006 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B, N770GG, attempted to taxi to takeoff with the tie down chains still attached at the Napa, California, airport.  The helicopter rolled over and one of the main rotor blades separated; a 3-foot section of the blade penetrated the side of a building and landed on a desk.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site, and no flight plan was filed.  The personal flight was originating at the time.

Federal Aviation Administation inspectors from the Sacramento Flight Standards District Office responded to the airport, interviewed the pilot, and inspected the aircraft.  The pilot reported to the inspectors that he did not routinely tie the aircraft down at night.  Ramp personnel tied the aircraft down the night before due to high winds at the airport.  The pilot reported to the inspectors that he performed his preflight and did not look down at the skids, nor did he notice the tie down chains.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N770GG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N770GG-2003-07-10), registration cancelled 2003-07-10, S/N 2161, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2161
- Airframe hours: 7360
- Engines: Allison 250 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Berry Leasing Company L P
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1997, 20 hours before
- Departed: APC
- Airport: APC, Napa County Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,600 total, 1,450 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APC

## 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 19970908038069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970908038069A), Sep 8, 1997: Bell 206B, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. Tired taxi with tiedown chains attache. Rolled over. Pilot failed note ramp person tied skids due high wind.

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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