Bell 206 accident near Oxnard, California, May 4, 2019
On May 4, 2019 at about 4:45 pm local time, a 1975 Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N49643, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Oxnard, California (Oxnard Airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering at a low altitude due to reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 4, 2019 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Oxnard, California · Oxnard Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B, built 1975 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N49643 · no longer on the register · serial 1813
- 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 operator reported that this was the helicopters third flight of the day. However, this was the first paint material load of the day. As the pilot made his third pass over the greenhouses, he noticed that he was using more left cyclic to maintain level flight. He continued to spray in attempt to correct any load imbalances, however, the helicopter continued to lean further to the right. The pilot maneuvered away from the greenhouses. The helicopter’s right turn continued to increase until it impacted the ground at about a 45o bank. A post impact fire ensued and completely consumed the helicopter. The operator further reported that the helicopter was equipped with 2, 60-gallon mixture tanks mounted on each side of the aircraft. The tanks were connected through a transfer equalizing tube which fed a centrally located electric pump. The pump then sent the wash through the spray booms. The operator mentioned that they believe one of the mixture tanks stopped transferring, which would cause the helicopter to be imbalanced. Due to the destruction of the helicopter during impact and the post impact fire there was not enough evidence to determine if there were any mechanical anomalies with the helicopter or spray system.
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
- Inflight upset during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › (general) › (general) › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,910 hours in all; 2,600 in this make and model; 250 in the last 90 days; 80 in the last 30 days; 3,910 as pilot in command; 1,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 2, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 20,629 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 21, 2019; 66 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250 C-20B (turboshaft); 12,687 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Aspen Ag Helicopters Inc
The flight
- Departed from: OXR Oxnard CA at 4:40 pm
- Destination: OXR Oxnard CA
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,500 ft; clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 4:51 pm from OXR, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on March 22, 2022. 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 | Record of Memorandum - Postaccident Examination Observations | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | On Scene Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N49643 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.