# NTSB LAX99LA116: Bell 206B, N901CA, Delhi, CA, March 10, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 1999, 10:55 local (18:55 UTC) - Place: Delhi, CA - Coordinates: 37.419582, -120.770751 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4196&lon=-120.7708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45896 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45896/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA116 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while landing in proximity to high vegetation, which resulted in the inadvertent contact of the spray boom to the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - tree(s) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis After spraying a field during an aerial application flight, the pilot returned to the helispot to reload. Approaching the helispot, he flew past 30-foot-tall almond trees and 10-foot-tall oleander bushes at a low altitude. Immediately thereafter the helicopter began yawing. The pilot stated that 'the tail rotor felt sluggish,' and control was lost. The pilot further reported that he believes the spray boom clipped the vegetation. The helicopter came to rest on its side. At the time of the accident, the local wind condition was described by both the pilot and a ground witness as being light and variable. The pilot did not assert that any mechanical malfunctions precipitated the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 10, 1999, about 1055 hours Pacific standard time, a Bell 206B, N901CA, operated by Bettencourt Flying Service, Inc., collided with trees near Delhi, California, while performing an aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot received a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The local area flight originated from Delhi about 1030. The pilot reported that seconds prior to the mishap, no cockpit annunciator lights were illuminating, no unusual vibrations were felt, fuel was in the tank, and the engine power was about 100 percent. The pilot said that after spraying a field, he was returning to the helispot to reload when he flew past 30-foot-tall almond trees and 10-foot-tall oleander bushes at a low altitude. Immediately thereafter the helicopter began yawing, the tail rotor felt sluggish, and control was lost. The helicopter came to rest on its right side. The pilot further reported that he believes the spray boom may have clipped the vegetation. At the time of the accident, the local wind condition was described by both the pilot and a ground witness as being light and variable. The pilot did not assert that any mechanical malfunctions precipitated the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N901CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N901CA-2016-09-07), registration cancelled 2016-09-07, S/N 1535, built 1974 (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-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1535 - Airframe hours: 10357 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Betttencourt Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 1999, 47 hours before - Departed: DELHI, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 9,768 total, 914 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MOD, 14 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 19990310002139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990310002139A), Mar 10, 1999: Bell 206B, Delhi, CA, Substantial damage. 1974 Bell 206B helicopter crashed while landing during aerial application procedures, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on March 10, about 1055 hours… 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.