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NTSB Report
August 9, 1989 · Bell 206B · N90296
Bakersfield, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Bakersfield, CA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N90296
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89LA270
THE HELICOPTER CREW WAS FILMING A COGENERATION PLANT. THE HELICOPTER ORBITED THE PLANT THREE TIMES. DURING THE THIRD ORBIT, THE HELICOPTER PASSED OVER THE EXHAUST CHIMNEY OF THE PLANT WHICH WAS OPERATING AT THE TIME. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE INDICATION THAT EXHAUST GASES WERE EMANATING FROM THE CHIMNEY. THE GASES WERE REPORTED TO BE 350 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WITH A 3.6 PERCENT OXYGEN CONTENT. THE HELICOPTER TURBOSHAFT ENGINE LOST POWER OVER THE CENTER OF THE CHIMNEY. THE PILOT ENTERED AUTOROTATION TOWARDS AN OPEN AREA OF A PARKING LOT. DURING THE FLARE, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A VEHICLE, AND LANDED HARD, SEVERED THE TAILBOOM, AND ROLLED ON TO ITS SIDE. THE CERTIFICATION STANDARD FOR THE ENGINE WAS 120 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE HELICOPTER BEING FLOWN IN EXHAUST GASES EMANATING FROM A COGENERATION PLANT CHIMNEY STACK THAT EXCEEDED THE CERTIFICATION STANDARDS OF THE POWERPLANT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INVISIBLE NATURE OF THE EXHAUST GASES WHICH MADE THE DETECTION OF THEIR PRESENCE UNLIKELY.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER CREW WAS FILMING A COGENERATION PLANT. THE HELICOPTER ORBITED THE PLANT THREE TIMES. DURING THE THIRD ORBIT, THE HELICOPTER PASSED OVER THE EXHAUST CHIMNEY OF THE PLANT WHICH WAS OPERATING AT THE TIME. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE INDICATION THAT EXHAUST GASES WERE EMANATING FROM THE CHIMNEY. THE GASES WERE REPORTED TO BE 350 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WITH A 3.6 PERCENT OXYGEN CONTENT. THE HELICOPTER TURBOSHAFT ENGINE LOST POWER OVER THE CENTER OF THE CHIMNEY. THE PILOT ENTERED AUTOROTATION TOWARDS AN OPEN AREA OF A PARKING LOT. DURING THE FLARE, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A VEHICLE, AND LANDED HARD, SEVERED THE TAILBOOM, AND ROLLED ON TO ITS SIDE. THE CERTIFICATION STANDARD FOR THE ENGINE WAS 120 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN90296
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 400
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT