The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oakland, California
Alpine Helicopter Service Inc
Location: Stockton, California
Accident Number: WPR22LA221
Date and Time: June 17, 2022, 06:00 Local
Registration: N90326
Aircraft: Bell 206B
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Positioning
On June 17, 2022, about 0600 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N90326, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Stockton, California. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 repositioning flight.
According to the pilot, he was contracted to spray a parcel of about 90 acres of sweet corn. He departed and climbed to about 500 feet agl and was in cruise flight about 80 to 85 miles per hour (mph). About 10 to 12 minutes after he crossed highway 4, he felt a vibration that lasted about 5 seconds, then he heard a bang and the helicopter yawed to the right. He lowered the collective and adjusted the throttle to straighten the helicopter. He began to look for a place to land but only had large trees underneath him. He noticed an orchard with smaller trees about a half mile away and maneuvered to it by using throttle and collective. He began to slow the helicopter and descend. He descended to about 25 to 30 ft agl, and decelerated to about 15 to 20 mph, when the helicopter began to spin to the right despite the application of full left anti-torque pedal. He then chopped the throttle and entered an autorotation. The helicopter landed flat but was still spinning and rolled onto its left side. The pilot shut the engine and fuel off and exited through the co-pilot’s windshield.
The helicopter came to rest in an orchard after contacting a tree. All major components, except one tail rotor blade remained attached to the helicopter. The pilot recovered the separated tail rotor blade about 2000 ft from the main wreckage.
The helicopter was relocated to a secure facility for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N90326
Model/Series: 206B
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSCK,27 ft msl
Observation Time: 05:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C /7°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 260°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.86 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point:
Destination:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 37.908851,-121.37392
Rotorcraft crashed under unknown circumstances.
Date: 17-JUN-22
Time: 13:00:00Z
Regis#: N90326
Aircraft Make: BELL
Aircraft Model: 206B
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: MINOR
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: AERIAL APPLICATION
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 137
City: STOCKTON
State: CALIFORNIA
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