Bell 206B accident near Chino Hills, California, June 28, 2006
On June 28, 2006 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N205LA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chino Hills, California. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2006 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Chino Hills, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N205LA · no longer on the register · serial 2322
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was flying for a local news service when he heard a loud bang, and made an off-airport precautionary landing. After landing, he reduced the throttle setting to ground idle and locked the flight controls. He exited the helicopter and attempted to locate the source of the noise he had heard. The pilot stated that he found nothing wrong and re-entered the helicopter to resume the flight. After he brought the helicopter into a hover and started to transition into forward flight, the helicopter rolled to the left and impacted the ground. An examination of the helicopter systems revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions, failures, or damage which would explain the loss of control.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,171 hours in all; 1,965 in this make and model; 62 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 2,085 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,419 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce Allison 250 C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Tsr Helicopters Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: VNY Van Nuys CA at 1:00 pm
- Destination: VNY Van Nuys CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from CNO, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.