Ramona Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Ramona, California 92065
Thursday, October 25, 2007 10:35 PDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The helicopter was flying at 100 feet agl and between 40 and 60 knots to assess damage to utility equipment from a recent wild fire in the area. While rolling out of a turn at 100 feet agl, the pilot noticed a reduction in airspeed. He said that he felt resistance on the controls as he applied forward cyclic and raised the collective in attempt to regain the desired airspeed and altitude. The helicopter responded by assuming a nose-high attitude. The pilot stated that a high power setting was needed to maintain altitude. The helicopter started to yaw to the right, which the pilot opined was due to the onset of loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). He reduced power to counteract the LTE and the helicopter started to descend. The pilot decided to execute a precautionary landing. During the landing, the helicopter impacted trees and came to rest on it's left side. An FAA inspector responded to the accident site, examined the wreckage, and noted no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter or the control system.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's failure to maintain control and correct a descent and a loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering at a low altitude and reduced airspeed.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 10/25/2007
Event Day of the Week Thursday
Time of Event 1035
Event Time Zone Pacific Daylight Time
Event City Ramona
Event State CALIFORNIA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 92065
Event Date Year 2007
Event Date Month 10
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 330230N
Event Location Longitude 1165800W
Event Location Airport Ramona Airport
Event Location Nearest Airport ID RNM
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 3
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 1395
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1053 Pacific Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 90
Weather Observation Facility ID RNM
Elevation of weather observation facility 1395
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 3
Time Zone of the weather observation PDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 31
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) -5
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 330
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 4
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.97
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 4
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 22699
NTSB Notification Source FAA
NTSB Notification Date Oct 25 2007 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Dec 20 2007 6:59AM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\johb
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office WP-SAN-FSDO

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N412KK
NTSB Number LAX08CA018
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed Company VFR
Flight plan Was Activated? Yes
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Bell
Aircraft Model 206L-1
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 45277
Certified Max Gross Weight --
Aircraft Category Helicopter
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 7
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection --
Date of Last Inspection --
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours --
ELT Installed --
ELT Activated --
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Blackhawk Helicopters, Inc.
Aircraft Owner Street Address 1920 Joe Crosson Drive #8
Aircraft Owner City El Cajon
Aircraft Owner State CA
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 92020
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country --
Operator Zip code --
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Aerial Observation
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code RNM
Departure City Ramona
Departure State CA
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1000
Departure Time Zone --
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code RNM
Destination City Ramona
Destination State CA
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Apr 9 2008 1:05PM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\HAMG
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location NA
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --