# NTSB WPR14CA319: Bell 206B, N291SH, Salinas, CA, July 19, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 19, 2014, 05:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Salinas, CA
- Coordinates: 36.36, -121.309997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3600&lon=-121.3100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA319
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89764/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89764
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA319

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to ensure adequate clearance from ground obstacles during takeoff which resulted in loss of aircraft control.

## Findings

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

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he had landed in a field that had irrigation sprinkler pipes arranged in field rows. During takeoff and forward movement to reposition the helicopter, the right side spray boom caught on one of the sprinkler head risers which resulted in a dynamic rollover of the helicopter to the right. The helicopter came to rest on its right side and sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he had landed in a field that had irrigation sprinkler pipes arranged in field rows. During takeoff and forward movement to reposition the helicopter, the right side spray boom caught on one of the sprinkler head risers which resulted in a dynamic rollover of the helicopter to the right. The helicopter came to rest on its right side and sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N291SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N291SH-2018-10-23), registration cancelled 2018-10-23, S/N 2467, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B (B3)
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (registry code 54385, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2467
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 17586.5
- Engines: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C20B 420 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: R&B Helicopters
- Registered owner: Southern Helicopter Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 2014
- Departed: SNS, SALINAS, CA
- Destination: SNS, SALINAS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 11, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 20,950 total, 5,100 in this make and model, 20,950 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 330° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: ksns, 7 nm away

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 15, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89764. 441 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 441 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416483&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF

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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