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Location:
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Oxnard, California
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Accident Number:
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WPR19LA135
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Date & Time:
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May 4, 2019, 09:45 Local
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Registration:
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N49643
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Aircraft:
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Bell 206
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Inflight upset
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Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
Analysis
The operator reported that this was the helicopters third flight of the day. However, this was the first paint material load of the day. As the pilot made his third pass over the greenhouses, he noticed that he was using more left cyclic to maintain level flight. He continued to spray in attempt to correct any load imbalances, however, the helicopter continued to lean further to the right. The pilot maneuvered away from the greenhouses. The helicopter’s right turn continued to increase until it impacted the ground at about a 45o bank. A post impact fire ensued and completely consumed the helicopter.
The operator further reported that the helicopter was equipped with 2, 60-gallon mixture tanks mounted on each side of the aircraft. The tanks were connected through a transfer equalizing tube which fed a centrally located electric pump. The pump then sent the wash through the spray booms. The operator mentioned that they believe one of the mixture tanks stopped transferring, which would cause the helicopter to be imbalanced. Due to the destruction of the helicopter during impact and the post impact fire there was not enough evidence to determine if there were any mechanical anomalies with the helicopter or spray system.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering at a low altitude due to reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Findings
Personnel issues Not determined
Aircraft
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Aircraft control - Pilot
(general) - Unknown/Not determined (general) - Attain/maintain not possible
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Factual Information
On May 4, 2019, about 0945 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N49643, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Oxnard, California. The pilot was seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 aerial application flight.
The operator reported that this was the helicopters third flight of the day. However, this was the first paint material load of the day. As the pilot made his third pass over the greenhouses, he noticed that he was using more left cyclic to maintain level flight. He continued to spray in attempt to correct any load imbalances, however, the helicopter continued to lean further to the right. The pilot maneuvered away from the greenhouses. The helicopter’s right turn continued to increase until it impacted the ground at about a 45-degree bank. A post impact fire ensued and completely consumed the helicopter.
The operator further reported that the helicopter was equipped with 2, 60-gallon mixture tanks mounted on each side of the aircraft. The tanks were connected through a transfer equalizing tube which fed a centrally located electric pump. The pump then sent the wash through the spray booms. The operator mentioned that they believe one of the mixture tanks stopped transferring, which would cause the helicopter to be imbalanced.
Postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any anomalies with the helicopter, however, it was destroyed, and mostly consumed by impact and fire related damage.
History of Flight
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Maneuvering-low-alt flying - Inflight upset (Defining event)
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Maneuvering-low-alt flying - Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
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Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial; Flight instructor
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Age:
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41,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Front
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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4-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Toxicology Performed:
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No
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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January 23, 2019
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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February 2, 2018
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Flight Time:
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4910 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2600 hours (Total, this make and model), 3910 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 250 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 80 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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Bell
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Registration:
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N49643
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Model/Series:
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206 B
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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1975
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Restricted (Special)
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Serial Number:
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1813
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Landing Gear Type:
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High skid
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Seats:
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1
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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March 21, 2019 100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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3350 lbs
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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66 Hrs
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Engines:
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1 Turbo shaft
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Airframe Total Time:
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20629 Hrs at time of accident
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Rolls Royce
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ELT:
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C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
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Engine Model/Series:
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250 C-20B
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Registered Owner:
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Rated Power:
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420 Horsepower
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Operator:
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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Rotorcraft external load (133), Agricultural aircraft
(137)
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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OXR,44 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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2 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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09:51 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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325°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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8 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Overcast / 1500 ft AGL
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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3 knots /
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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None / None
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Wind Direction:
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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N/A / N/A
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Altimeter Setting:
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29.94 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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16°C / 12°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Oxnard, CA (OXR )
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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Company VFR
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Destination:
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Oxnard, CA (OXR )
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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09:40 Local
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Type of Airspace:
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Class D
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Airport Information
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Airport:
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Oxnard Airport OXR
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Runway Surface Type:
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Airport Elevation:
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44 ft msl
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Runway Surface Condition:
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Dry
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Runway Used:
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IFR Approach:
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None
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Runway Length/Width:
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VFR Approach/Landing:
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None
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger Injuries:
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Aircraft Fire:
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On-ground
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Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Latitude, Longitude:
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34.220275,-119.223892(est)
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Link, Samantha
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Ivan Salazar ; Federal Aviation Administration; Van Nuys, CA
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Original Publish Date:
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April 1, 2022 Investigation Class:
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3
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99393
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