Bell 206B accident near Auberry, CA
On January 5, 2010, a Bell 206B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Auberry, CA. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- January 5, 2010
- Place
- Auberry, CA
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 37.146°N, 119.461°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100105X94046
Official records · WPR10GA097
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Southern California Edison Tower and Powerline Specifications: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 5, 2010, at 1209 Pacific standard time, a Bell 206B, N5016U, collided with power lines near Auberry, California. The helicopter was registered to Palm Springs Aviation, Inc., d.b.a. Landells Aviation, and operated by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) as a public-use deer surveying flight. The certificated commercial pilot and three passengers were killed. The helicopter was substantially damaged by post crash fire. The local flight departed Trimmer Heliport, Trimmer, California, at 1007. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site, and a company flight plan had been filed. The mechanic assigned to the helicopter drove up from Landells Aviation the afternoon prior to the accident. He stated that the pilot departed Landells in the helicopter about 1300, and arrived at Trimmer at 1545. The mechanic then drove with the pilot for an hour to their hotel. They then had dinner and the pilot retired to his room about 2000. The mechanic reported that the following morning they met in the hotel lobby at 0700; the pilot appeared well rested, in a good mood, and his "normal self." They then drove to Trimmer, arriving at 0900, and were greeted by the three CDFG passengers. The mechanic then serviced the helicopter with the addition of 38 gallons of fuel, for a total of 75 gallons. He then checked the helicopter fluids, and removed the aft doors. The mechanic stated that he observed the pilot then perform a preflight inspection, followed by a briefing with the three passengers. At the time of the accident, two witnesses, who
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to see and avoid a wire while maneuvering during low-altitude operations.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
