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NTSB Report
June 30, 1983 · Bell 204B · N1WA
Ocotillo, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ocotillo, CA
Aircraft
Bell 204B
Tail Number
N1WA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83LA312
THE ACFT WAS ON AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION TO AIRLIFT LOADS OF CEMENT. THE CEMENT WAS BEING POURED FOR BASE PILINGS FOR POWER LINE TOWERS ON ROUGH TERRAIN. WHILE CARRYING A 3100 LB LOAD OF CEMENT ON A 40 FT LINE, THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST MOVED TO A POSITION TO START POURING. WHILE STABLIZED IN A HOVER, THE PLT HEARD 3 COMPRESSOR STALLS. THE HELICOPTER YAWED & BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE. THE PLT MOVED THE ACFT FORWARD FOR THE SAFETY OF WORKERS BELOW. THE PLT CONTINUED FORWARD, RELEASED THE EXTERNAL LOAD, CONTINUED AN AUTOROTATION INTO A RAVINE & LANDED ON SOFT, UNEVEN GROUND. PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN MAKING UNCONTROLLABLE TURNS. THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK A LARGE BOULDER. SHORTLY AFTER LANDING, A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENG COMPARTMENT WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY COSUMED THE HELICOPTER. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE, INCLUDING THE ENG, REVEALED NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE PINION GEAR OF THE 90 DEG GEAR BOX EXHIBITED SOME BACKLASH WEAR. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS APRX 3000 FT.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS ON AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION TO AIRLIFT LOADS OF CEMENT. THE CEMENT WAS BEING POURED FOR BASE PILINGS FOR POWER LINE TOWERS ON ROUGH TERRAIN. WHILE CARRYING A 3100 LB LOAD OF CEMENT ON A 40 FT LINE, THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST MOVED TO A POSITION TO START POURING. WHILE STABLIZED IN A HOVER, THE PLT HEARD 3 COMPRESSOR STALLS. THE HELICOPTER YAWED & BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE. THE PLT MOVED THE ACFT FORWARD FOR THE SAFETY OF WORKERS BELOW. THE PLT CONTINUED FORWARD, RELEASED THE EXTERNAL LOAD, CONTINUED AN AUTOROTATION INTO A RAVINE & LANDED ON SOFT, UNEVEN GROUND. PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN MAKING UNCONTROLLABLE TURNS. THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK A LARGE BOULDER. SHORTLY AFTER LANDING, A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENG COMPARTMENT WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY COSUMED THE HELICOPTER. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE, INCLUDING THE ENG, REVEALED NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE PINION GEAR OF THE 90 DEG GEAR BOX EXHIBITED SOME BACKLASH WEAR. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS APRX 3000 FT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:05 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 204B
Tail NumberN1WA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · T53-13B · Turboshaft · 1300
Seats11
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 12 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO