# NTSB SEA08CA091: Bell 206B, N7028J, Oxnard, CA, March 11, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 11, 2008, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Oxnard, CA - Coordinates: 34.213611, -119.094169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2136&lon=-119.0942&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67649 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67649/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA091 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during an aerial application. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was performing an aerial application on a celery crop with the skids about 24-inches above the tops of the crop. While in straight and level flight, the landing skids contacted the crop and the helicopter pitched forward. The front of the skids dug into terrain and the helicopter tumbled before it came to rest on its side. Examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and the tail boom was separated. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the engine or flight control system. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he was performing an aerial application on a celery crop with the skids about 24-inches above the tops of the crop. While in straight and level flight, the landing skids contacted the crop and the helicopter pitched forward. The front of the skids dug into terrain and the helicopter tumbled before it came to rest on its side. Examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and the tail boom was separated. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the engine or flight control system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7028J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7028J-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 573, built 1970 (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 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 573 - Engines: Allison 250 C-20 turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Aspen Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Departed: OXR, Oxnard, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,900 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KCMA, 3 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 20080311011829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080311011829A), Mar 11, 2008: Bell 206B, Ventura County, CA, Destroyed. (-23) While conducting aerial application the aircraft and main rotor struck the ground destroying the aircraft. Pilot was not injured. Wx was not a factor. 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.