Bell 206 accident near Valley Center, California, March 29, 2019
On March 29, 2019 at about 2:15 pm local time, a 1973 Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N83181, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Valley Center, California. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The ground crew’s attachment of the load fill hose to the helicopter without telling the pilot, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 29, 2019 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Valley Center, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B, built 1973 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N83181 · no longer on the register · serial 1095
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter pilot reported that, during reloading operations for an agricultural spray flight and while boarding the helicopter, which was positioned on top of the loading truck's platform, he saw that the load fill hose was not connected to the helicopter. However, before starting the helicopter, and unknown to the pilot, the ground crew connected the hose. During takeoff, the helicopter rotated about 180º to the right, the helicopter's right skid struck the truck's hood, and the helicopter then rolled right and impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal 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
- Aircraft servicing event during prior to flight
- Roll over during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Communication (personnel) › Lack of communication › Ground crew
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 25,300 hours in all; 9,000 in this make and model; 24,300 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 28, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 26,847 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 15, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250c20b (turboshaft); 5,053 hours total
- Operator: Hummingbirds Inc
The flight
- Departed from: Valley Center CA at 2:15 pm
- Destination: Valley Center CA
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KRNM, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on October 16, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photo | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.