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NTSB Report
August 31, 1988 · Bell 206L-1 · N74WH
Barrett Junct., CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 31, 1988
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (4 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Barrett Junct., CA
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N74WH
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX88LA304
WHILE DESCENDING INTO A CANYON, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWERLINES, WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE POWERLINES AND THAT HIS VISIBILITY WAS RESTRICTED BY THE SUN. ALL FOUR PASSENGERS INDICATED THAT THEY DID NOT SEE THE POWERLINES PRIOR TO THE COLLISION.
Full Narrative
WHILE DESCENDING INTO A CANYON, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWERLINES, WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE POWERLINES AND THAT HIS VISIBILITY WAS RESTRICTED BY THE SUN. ALL FOUR PASSENGERS INDICATED THAT THEY DID NOT SEE THE POWERLINES PRIOR TO THE COLLISION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN74WH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C28B · Turboshaft · 435
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary5 injuries (4 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious4
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 6 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC