Narrative:
The Twin Otter and a Bell 206B helicopter (N250CA) were involved in a movie operation. The Bell carried a cameraman. The DHC-6 carried parachutists. The purpose of the operation was to photograph the parachutists exiting the jump aircraft. The pilot of N250CA said he was in formation with the Twin Otter and was maneuvering into camera position when the rotor blades contacted the vertical stabilizer and rudder of N203E. The pilot of N203E was not in a position to have visual contact with the helicopter.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the helicopter pilot to maintain adequate clearance from the jump aircraft. A factor in the accident was the inability of the jump aircraft pilot to maintain visual contact with the helicopter."
Forced landing on runway
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 22 August 1990 |
| Time: | 10:20 |
| Type: |  de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 100 |
| Operator: | National Executive Flight Service |
| Registration: | N203E |
| MSN: | 53 |
| First flight: | 1967-06-14 (23 years 3 months) |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | California City, CA ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Maneuvering (MNV) |
| Nature: | Aerial Work (Calibration, Photo) |
| Departure airport: | California City Municipal Airport, CA, United States of America |
| California City Municipal Airport, CA, United States of America |
The Twin Otter and a Bell 206B helicopter (N250CA) were involved in a movie operation. The Bell carried a cameraman. The DHC-6 carried parachutists. The purpose of the operation was to photograph the parachutists exiting the jump aircraft. The pilot of N250CA said he was in formation with the Twin Otter and was maneuvering into camera position when the rotor blades contacted the vertical stabilizer and rudder of N203E. The pilot of N203E was not in a position to have visual contact with the helicopter.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the helicopter pilot to maintain adequate clearance from the jump aircraft. A factor in the accident was the inability of the jump aircraft pilot to maintain visual contact with the helicopter."
Accident investigation:
 |
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Classification:
Mid air collisionForced landing on runway
Photos
Map
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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