Bell 206B accident near Corona, California, March 16, 1989
On March 16, 1989 at about 1:30 am local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N131AT, was substantially damaged in an accident near Corona, California (Corona airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE CYCLIC BY THE STUDENT PILOT, FAILURE OF THE STUDENT TO RELINQUISH CONTROL AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 1989 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Corona, California · Corona
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N131AT · registry record · serial 341
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR DIRECTED THE STUDENT TO MAKE A NORMAL TAKEOFF. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS FOLLOWING THE STUDENT ON THE CONTROLS WHEN THE STUDENT SUDDENLY MOVED THE CYCLIC TO THE LEFT. THE HELICOPTER STARTED TO ROLL TO THE LEFT. THE INSTRUCTOR COULD NOT OVERPOWER THE STUDENT AND REGAIN CONTROL BEFORE THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE. THERE WERE NO NOTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE HELICOPTER.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,809 hours in all; 93 in this make and model; 323 in the last 90 days; 111 in the last 30 days; 1,532 as pilot in command; 652 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,765 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 13, 1989; 65 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 19 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.