Bell 206B accident near Julian, California, December 15, 1994
On December 15, 1994 at about 3:30 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N37AJ, was substantially damaged in an accident near Julian, California. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the pilot to maintain a proper alignment during hover in a mountainous area.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 15, 1994 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Julian, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N37AJ · registry record · serial 1877
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO TAKE SOME HUNTERS INTO THE MOUNTAINS AROUND THE TOWN OF JULIAN. THE PILOT DROPPED OFF HIS PASSENGERS WHILE IN A HOVER A FEW FEET OFF THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER DRIFTED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT AND THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED A ROCK OUTCROPPING. THE HELICOPTER THEN ROLLED OVER.
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: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 90 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 1,800 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,997 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, June 9, 1994; 48 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Civic Helicopters, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: CRQ Carlsbad CA at 2:30 pm
- Destination: CRQ CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.