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NTSB Report
March 31, 1985 · Bell 206A · N1434W
San Diego, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 31, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
San Diego, CA
Aircraft
Bell 206A
Tail Number
N1434W
Operator
Blue Bird Express Helicopters
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA194
DURING FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PLT BEGAN AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN A PARKING LOT. DURING THE APCH, HE MANEUVERED TO AVOID A 100 FT CRANE. AS THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROACHING THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT, A VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN INTO THE FLT PATH OF THE ACFT. TO AVOID THE VEHICLE, THE PLT INCREASED THE COLLECTIVE TO EXTEND THE GLIDE PATH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER LOST ROTOR RPM BEFORE TOUCHDOWN & LANDED HARD. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT AN IMPROPER PART (AN OIL LINE) HAD BEEN SUBSTITUTED FOR THE 'COMPRESSOR TO FUEL CONTROL PRESSURE SENSING' LINE (PN 6848471). THE LINE HAD FRACTURED AT A B-NUT WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER.
Full Narrative
DURING FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PLT BEGAN AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN A PARKING LOT. DURING THE APCH, HE MANEUVERED TO AVOID A 100 FT CRANE. AS THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROACHING THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT, A VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN INTO THE FLT PATH OF THE ACFT. TO AVOID THE VEHICLE, THE PLT INCREASED THE COLLECTIVE TO EXTEND THE GLIDE PATH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER LOST ROTOR RPM BEFORE TOUCHDOWN & LANDED HARD. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT AN IMPROPER PART (AN OIL LINE) HAD BEEN SUBSTITUTED FOR THE 'COMPRESSOR TO FUEL CONTROL PRESSURE SENSING' LINE (PN 6848471). THE LINE HAD FRACTURED AT A B-NUT WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:32 PST
Nearest Airport4nm SW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206A
Tail NumberN1434W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBlue Bird Express Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C18 · Turboshaft · 317
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total5
Crew 1Age 28 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 11 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:52
Weather SourceWFAC