NTSB Identification: LAX86FA130.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 32696.
Accident occurred Friday, February 28, 1986 in ONTARIO, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/25/1988
Aircraft: ENSTROM 280C, registration: N5694R
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.BFR DEPTG TUCSON, AZ ON A RETURN FLT TO LONG BEACH, CA, 2 STUDENT HELICOPTER PLTS (THE OWNERS) WERE ADVISED VFR FLT WAS NOT RCMDD DUE TO LOW CEILING/VIS AT THE DESTN. NEITHER PLT WAS ENDORSED FOR X-COUNTRY FLT. EN ROUTE, THEY LNDD/REFUELED AT GILA BEND & PARKER, AZ. AT 2124 PST, THEY TOLD TRACON THEY WERE VFR AT 4500' & RCVD VECTORS TO LONG BEACH. HOWEVER, DRG ARRIVAL, THE ARPT WAS NOT VISIBLE DUE TO A 500' OVERCAST. THE CREW RPRTD 40 MIN OF FUEL REMAINING & REQD VECTORS TO THE NEAREST ARPT WITH VFR CONDS. ONTARIO INTL & NORTON AFB WERE THE ONLY ARPTS IN THE AREA WITH NO CEILING; BOTH WERE RPRTG APRX 1 MI VIS WITH FOG & HAZE. THE CREW DIVERTED TO ONTARIO & WERE CLRD FOR A SPECIAL VFR DSCNT TO RWY 26L. ABOUT 3 MIN LATER, WHILE DSCNDG THRU 2000', THEIR CLNC WAS AMENDED DUE TO POSSIBLE CONFLICTING TRAFFIC. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WERE LOST. AT 0151, THE ACFT WAS FND APRX 1 MI SOUTH OF THE ARPT WHERE IT IMPACTED IN A NOSE LOW, LEFT BANK ATTITUDE. TESTS SHOWED 1 STUDENT (PRESUMED 2ND-IN-COMMAND) HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.160%.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC..CONTINUED
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
AIRCRAFT HANDLING..NOT MAINTAINED
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
SPATIAL DISORIENTATION..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
IMPAIRMENT(ALCOHOL)..COPILOT/SECOND PILOT
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
SPATIAL DISORIENTATION..COPILOT/SECOND PILOT
Contributing Factors
PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES..NOT FOLLOWED
Contributing Factors
QUALIFICATION..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
QUALIFICATION..COPILOT/SECOND PILOT
Contributing Factors
FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER..INITIATED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
OVERCONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
OVERCONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY..COPILOT/SECOND PILOT
Contributing Factors
LIGHT CONDITION..NIGHT
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..LOW CEILING
Contributing Factors
FLUID,FUEL..LOW LEVEL
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..HAZE/SMOKE
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..FOG
Contributing Factors
LACK OF TOTAL INSTRUMENT TIME..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LACK OF TOTAL INSTRUMENT TIME..COPILOT/SECOND PILOT
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