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NTSB Report
July 23, 1982 · Bell UH-1B · N87701
Valencia, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 1982
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (6 minor injuries), 3 unknown outcomes
Location
Valencia, CA
Aircraft
Bell UH-1B
Tail Number
N87701
Operator
Western Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX82AA274
ACFT BEING USED TO FILM MOVIE SCENE DEPICTING ATTACK OF VILLAGE TYPICAL OF VILLGES IN VIET NAM. ACFT WAS ABOUT 25 FT AGL & ABOVE LOCATION WHERE SPECIAL EFFECTS EXPLOSIVES WERE DETONATED. AS THE PLT TURNED ACFT FOR CAMERA COVERAGE, ACFT'STAIL SECTION WAS ENGULFED IN FIREBALL CREATED BY SPECIAL EFFECTS EXPLOSION. T/R ASSEMBLY SEPARATED & ACFT DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL. M/R BLADE STRUCK 3 ACTORS ON GROUND. THE BOARD DETERMINED THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DETONATION OF A DEBRIS-LADEN SPECIAL EFFECTS EXPLOSION TOO NEAR THE ACFT. THE PROXIMITY OF THE ACFT TO THE EXPLOSIONS WAS DUE TO THE FAILURE TO ESTABLISH DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS & COORDINATION BETWEEN THE PILOT, WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF THE ACFT OPERATION, & THE FILM DIRECTOR, WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF THE FILMING OPERATION.
Full Narrative
ACFT BEING USED TO FILM MOVIE SCENE DEPICTING ATTACK OF VILLAGE TYPICAL OF VILLGES IN VIET NAM. ACFT WAS ABOUT 25 FT AGL & ABOVE LOCATION WHERE SPECIAL EFFECTS EXPLOSIVES WERE DETONATED. AS THE PLT TURNED ACFT FOR CAMERA COVERAGE, ACFT'STAIL SECTION WAS ENGULFED IN FIREBALL CREATED BY SPECIAL EFFECTS EXPLOSION. T/R ASSEMBLY SEPARATED & ACFT DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL. M/R BLADE STRUCK 3 ACTORS ON GROUND. THE BOARD DETERMINED THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DETONATION OF A DEBRIS-LADEN SPECIAL EFFECTS EXPLOSION TOO NEAR THE ACFT. THE PROXIMITY OF THE ACFT TO THE EXPLOSIONS WAS DUE TO THE FAILURE TO ESTABLISH DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS & COORDINATION BETWEEN THE PILOT, WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF THE ACFT OPERATION, & THE FILM DIRECTOR, WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF THE FILMING OPERATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:20 PDT
Nearest AirportIndian Dunes (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell UH-1B
Tail NumberN87701
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWestern Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · T53-L-11D · Turboshaft · 920
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury Summary6 injuries (6 minor injuries), 3 unknown outcomes
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor6
Uninjured0
Total9
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind2 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point17 C / 0 C
Altimeter0