Friday, January 10, 2020

Roll Over: Bell 206B JetRanger II, N83181; accident occurred March 29, 2019 in Valley Center, North San Diego County, California





Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Diego, California

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Valley Center, CA
Accident Number: GAA19CA186
Date & Time: 03/29/2019, 0715 PDT
Registration: N83181
Aircraft: Bell 206
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Roll over
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural 



The helicopter pilot reported that, during the reloading operation for an agricultural spray flight, while boarding the helicopter positioned on top of the truck's platform, he saw that the load fill hose was not connected to the helicopter. However, prior to starting the helicopter, and unknown to the pilot, the groundcrew connected the hose. During takeoff, the helicopter rotated about 180ยบ to the right, the helicopter's right skid struck the hood of the truck, the helicopter rolled to the right and impacted the terrain.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 72, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane; Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/18/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/28/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 25300 hours (Total, all aircraft), 9000 hours (Total, this make and model), 24300 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)



Rotorcraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N83181
Model/Series: 206 B
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1973
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted; Normal
Serial Number: 1095
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/15/2019, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Shaft
Airframe Total Time: 26847 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rolls Royce
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 250c20b
Registered Owner: Hummingbirds Inc
Rated Power: 420 hp
Operator: Hummingbirds Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRNM, 1393 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1353 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 159°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 7 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.16 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 3°C / 2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Valley Center, CA
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Valley Center, CA
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0715 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 33.317222, -117.043611 (est)

1 comment:

  1. Fortunate that the pilot was unharmed and was able to help with loader's broken leg.
    A photo showing the normal arrangement is at (one long link):
    https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ef18ad_92ede0bac4b7467884d2a244b57f77e0~mv2_d_3412_1920_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_784,h_441,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/ef18ad_92ede0bac4b7467884d2a244b57f77e0~mv2_d_3412_1920_s_2.webp

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