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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 3, 1986 · Bell 206B · N49606

Alamo, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 3, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Alamo, CA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N49606
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86MA311

WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE HELICOPTER CIRCLE TWICE OVER A RESIDENCE AT AN ALT OF APRX 50' AGL. UPON INITIATING THE THIRD TURN THE HELICOPTER ENTERED AN ABRUPT 90 DEG BANK AND NOSED DOWN TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER FAILED TO REVEAL ANY FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. POSTMORTEM EXAM OF THE PLT REVEALED SEVERE ARTHERIOSCLEROTIC HEART DISEASE WHICH MOST PROBABLY RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC MYOCARDIAL EVENT JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT HAD A HISTORY OF HEART DISEASE DATING PRIOR TO OCT, 1981. IN SEPT, 1984, THE PLT WAS DENIED A CLASS II MEDICAL BASED ON HIS MEDICAL HISTORY. IN JAN, 1985, THE NEWLY APPOINTED FAS ISSUED A SPECIAL ISSUANCE CLASS II WITHOUT FURTHER MEDICAL EXAMS.AFTER FURTHER MEDICAL EXAMS IN APRIL, 1986, THE PLT WAS ISSUED AN UNRESTRICTED CLASS II MEDICAL IN MAY, 1986. AT THIS TIME THE PLT WAS ADVISED TO REPORT ANY CHANGES IN HIS MEDICAL CONDITION. DURING THAT SAME MONTH, THE PLT WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR A MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. THIS EVENT WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE FAS AND THE PLT CONTINUED FLYING.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE HELICOPTER CIRCLE TWICE OVER A RESIDENCE AT AN ALT OF APRX 50' AGL. UPON INITIATING THE THIRD TURN THE HELICOPTER ENTERED AN ABRUPT 90 DEG BANK AND NOSED DOWN TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER FAILED TO REVEAL ANY FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. POSTMORTEM EXAM OF THE PLT REVEALED SEVERE ARTHERIOSCLEROTIC HEART DISEASE WHICH MOST PROBABLY RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC MYOCARDIAL EVENT JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT HAD A HISTORY OF HEART DISEASE DATING PRIOR TO OCT, 1981. IN SEPT, 1984, THE PLT WAS DENIED A CLASS II MEDICAL BASED ON HIS MEDICAL HISTORY. IN JAN, 1985, THE NEWLY APPOINTED FAS ISSUED A SPECIAL ISSUANCE CLASS II WITHOUT FURTHER MEDICAL EXAMS.AFTER FURTHER MEDICAL EXAMS IN APRIL, 1986, THE PLT WAS ISSUED AN UNRESTRICTED CLASS II MEDICAL IN MAY, 1986. AT THIS TIME THE PLT WAS ADVISED TO REPORT ANY CHANGES IN HIS MEDICAL CONDITION. DURING THAT SAME MONTH, THE PLT WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR A MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. THIS EVENT WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE FAS AND THE PLT CONTINUED FLYING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:35 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN49606
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250C20B · Turboshaft · 427
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data