Bell 212 accident near Snelling, CA
On March 19, 2000, a Bell 212 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Snelling, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 19, 2000
- Place
- Snelling, CA
- Aircraft
- Bell 212 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 37.486°N, 120.351°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X20659
Official records · LAX00FA130
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 19, 2000, at 1545 Pacific standard time, a Bell 212 helicopter, N415B, was destroyed after impacting terrain following a loss of control while in cruise flight near Snelling, California. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received fatal injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a positioning flight by Aviation International Rotors (A.I.R.), Inc., Apple Valley, California, under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated from Fresno, California, at 1515, and was destined for Sacramento, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The accident helicopter was second in a flight of two en route to Sacramento. Both helicopters departed Apple Valley, made fuel stops in Bakersfield, California, and Fresno before continuing on to their final destination of Sacramento. The lead pilot reported that they were cruising about 800 feet mean sea level (msl), or 400 to 500 feet above ground level (agl), over rolling terrain. The pilot estimated that the accident aircraft was echelon right, and about eight rotor disks to the rear, with cruise airspeed of about 100 knots. Both aircraft were on a common air-to-air frequency and had been communicating previously with no reported difficulties. As the flight neared the Snelling Highway northeast of Merced, the lead pilot called the accident pilot, asking about his fuel consumption rate. When he did not receive a reply, he turned his helicopter 180 degrees to look for the other helicopter. As
Probable cause
the in-flight separation of the main rotor mast while in cruise flight following a mast bumping event. The reason for the mast bumping event was not determined.
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Browse: California · Bell 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.
