Bell 206-L1 accident near Johnsondale, California, August 30, 1995
On August 30, 1995, a Bell 206-L1 (helicopter), registered N3886J, was destroyed in an accident near Johnsondale, California. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 30, 1995
- Place
- Johnsondale, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206-L1 · all 206-L1s on the register
- Registration
- N3886J · no longer on the register · serial 45561
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,785 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,731 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 10, 1995; 83 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,150 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C28B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L05 Kernville CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.