Bell 206-L1 N3886J

Summary

On 30 August 1995 at about 00:20 local time, a Bell 206-L1 registered N3886J, operated by Henry Urgoti, was involved in an accident near Johnsondale, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 August 1995 at 00:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Johnsondale, California, United States

Coordinates

35.7306, -118.3907

Aircraft

Bell 206-L1

Registration

N3886J

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Henry Urgoti

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kernville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX95FA313

2 people died.

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate obstacle clearance altitude while operating at a very low level. The aircraft's lack of wire cutters was a factor in this accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS ENGAGED IN FILMING OPERATIONS FOR A VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY AND MADE THREE PASSES ALONG A RIVER. ON THE THIRD PASS IT FLEW DOWN THE RIVER AT AN ALTITUDE BETWEEN 50 AND 100 FEET AND STRUCK ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES WHICH SPAN THE RIVER. AFTER WIRE IMPACT, THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED IN THE SAME DIRECTION, SHAKING AND SPINNING TO THE RIGHT BEFORE FINAL GROUND IMPACT. WITNESSES SAID THAT THE WIRES WERE DIFFICULT TO SEE BECAUSE OF FOLIAGE ON THE CANYON WALLS. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH WIRE CUTTERS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.