Bell 206B accident near Hanford, California, March 26, 2016
On March 26, 2016 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 1978 Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N52Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Hanford, California. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to release the collective while flying at 10 feet above ground level, resulting in the rapid helicopter descent and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 26, 2016 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hanford, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B B, built 1978 · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N52Q · no longer on the register · serial 2558
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he was performing a rehearsal 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 flight, during which he was familiarizing himself with the helicopter's Satlock aerial application system. He reported that while flying at the airspeed of about 60 miles per hour, at 10 feet above ground level, he removed his hand from the collective in order to advance to the next screen on the Satlock display. He recounted that the collective decreased which subsequently decreased themain rotor blade angle and decreased the engine power; the helicopter descended, impacted the terrain, and rolled several times before coming to rest. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the frame, rotor systems and the power train. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,087 hours in all; 66 in this make and model; 46 in the last 90 days; 21 in the last 30 days; 1,013 as pilot in command; 324 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 19, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 19,648.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 19, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 3,250 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250 (turboshaft); 16,835 hours total
- Operator: Premier Rotors LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Hanford CA at 2:20 pm
- Destination: Hanford CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from HJO, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.