Summary
On June 11, 1997, a Bell UH-1B (N888SJ) was involved in an incident near Heron, CA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: Partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor relating to the accident was that the engine lost power when the helicopter was outside (below) the limits of the height/velocity curve.
On June 10, 1997, at 1830 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell UH-1B, N888SJ, owned and operated by San Joaquin Helicopters, experienced a partial loss of engine power while spraying a field of tomatoes near Heron, California. The pilot reported that he was flying at a low altitude over the field when power was lost. He autorotated and landed hard in the field. During the touchdown sequence, a main rotor blade severed the tail boom. The helicopter was destroyed by ground fire. The engine continued to operate for between 10 and 12 minutes following touchdown. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the bed of a truck near the field around 1820.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX97LA206. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N888SJ.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor relating to the accident was that the engine lost power when the helicopter was outside (below) the limits of the height/velocity curve.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 10, 1997, at 1830 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell UH-1B, N888SJ, owned and operated by San Joaquin Helicopters, experienced a partial loss of engine power while spraying a field of tomatoes near Heron, California. The pilot reported that he was flying at a low altitude over the field when power was lost. He autorotated and landed hard in the field. During the touchdown sequence, a main rotor blade severed the tail boom. The helicopter was destroyed by ground fire. The engine continued to operate for between 10 and 12 minutes following touchdown. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the bed of a truck near the field around 1820.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration coordinator, no wires or other obstructions were noted in the vicinity of the accident site. The wreckage examination was limited because of extensive fire damage to the helicopter. No findings were noted concerning the loss of engine power.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX97LA206