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NTSB Report
August 14, 1990 · Bell 206B II · N2917W
San Francisco, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
San Francisco, CA
Aircraft
Bell 206B II
Tail Number
N2917W
Operator
Astro Copters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX90LA283
PILOT WAS MANEUVERING HIS HELIOCPTER IN A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN AROUND A SAILBOAT TO PROVIDE AN AERIAL PLATFORM FOR A MOVIE FILM CREW. ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE WATER AND A FEW FEET FROM THE SAILBOAT MAST, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS DOWNWIND FROM THE RELATIVE WIND DIRECTION. THE PILOT REDUCED COLLECTIVE PITCH AND THE SPIN STOPPED. DUE TO THE COLLECTIVE REDUCTION, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER BEFORE IT STRUCK THE OCEAN SURFACE AND SANK.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE HELICOPTER IN A FLIGHT REGIME CONDUCIVE TO UNANTICIPATED RIGHT YAW.
Full Narrative
PILOT WAS MANEUVERING HIS HELIOCPTER IN A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN AROUND A SAILBOAT TO PROVIDE AN AERIAL PLATFORM FOR A MOVIE FILM CREW. ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE WATER AND A FEW FEET FROM THE SAILBOAT MAST, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS DOWNWIND FROM THE RELATIVE WIND DIRECTION. THE PILOT REDUCED COLLECTIVE PITCH AND THE SPIN STOPPED. DUE TO THE COLLECTIVE REDUCTION, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER BEFORE IT STRUCK THE OCEAN SURFACE AND SANK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:36 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B II
Tail NumberN2917W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAstro Copters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C-20 · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 18 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO