# NTSB SEA08CA059: Bell 206 B2, N49588, La Verna, CA, January 13, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 12, 2008, 16:15 local (Jan 13, 2008, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: La Verna, CA
- Coordinates: 35.091388, -117.781669
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0914&lon=-117.7817&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA059

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper preflight planning which resulted in a jammed cyclic control while maneuvering.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Rotorcraft flight control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046700): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046700/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the helicopter was in a three-foot hover, moving forward, when control was lost and the helicopter collided with terrain.  The pilot reported the left cyclic control was removed prior to the flight; however, the protective cover was not installed.  He stated that during the accident flight, test equipment (used for track and balance) "became entangled" at the left cyclic attach point and prevented full cyclic control.

## Factual narrative

The commercial pilot and mechanic were conducting a maintenance test flight to facilitate a dynamic track and balance of the main rotor system when the accident occurred.  In a written statement, the pilot reported the helicopter was in a three-foot hover, moving forward, when control was lost.  The helicopter subsequently collided with terrain resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.  The pilot reported the left cyclic control was removed prior to the flight; however, the protective cover was not installed.  He stated that during the accident flight, the test equipment (used for track and balance) "became entangled" at the left cyclic attach point and prevented full cyclic control.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N49588 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206 B2
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1726
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 250 C-20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Miars
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: POC, La Verna, CA
- Destination: POC, La Verna, CA
- Airport: POC, Brackett Field, runway UNK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 6,500 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F

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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