Aerospatiale AS-350D accident near Lebec, CA
On January 20, 1994, an Aerospatiale AS-350D (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Lebec, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- January 20, 1994
- Place
- Lebec, CA
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS-350D · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.860°N, 118.870°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X00634
NTSB summary
History of the Flight On January 20, 1994, at 0900 hours Pacific standard time, an Aerospatiale AS350D helicopter, N5795X, collided with two power transmission cables in mountainous terrain in the Tejon Pass near Lebec, California. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and postimpact fire. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was being operated as an on-demand air taxi flight by Kern Helicopters, Inc., Bakersfield, California, under 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The flight originated at operator facilities in Bakersfield and was scheduled to return after conducting an aerial reconnaissance of a pipeline that may have been damaged during a recent earthquake in California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company VFR flight plan was on file at the operator's facilities. According to the operator, the helicopter was hired to transport an engineer over a pipeline from the Four Corners Pipeline, Inc. pumping station near Lebec, California, to Newhall, California. The pipeline had been shutdown as a result of a recent earthquake on January 17, 1994. The pumping station was to resume operation and the helicopter was to trace the pipeline checking for leaks. According to the operator, there was a delay at the pumping station when the helicopter arrived. The helicopter was not scheduled to land at the pumping station. According to the operator, the patrol of this segment of pipeline was not routine for his company. According to an employee of Four Corners Pipeline, Inc., located in Bakersfield, Cal
Probable cause
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHICH MASKED THE PRESENCE OF THE WIRES AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
- British Aerospace BAE-146-200, Dec 8, 1987
- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California · Aerospatiale aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
