SALINAS, CA, USA
N8163J
BELL 206 B III
PURPOSE OF FLT WAS TO TRANSPORT A TECHNICIAN & HIS EQUIPMENT TO A MOUNTAIN TOP TO SERVICE A MICROWAVE ANTENNA SITE. CLOUD COVERAGE PRECLUDED A LANDING AT THE SITE, BUT THE PLT WAS ABLE TO LAND IN A CLEARING ON THE EASTERN RIDGE LINE ABOUT 100 YDS BELOW THE SITE. THE PAX DEPLANED, & THE PLT STATED THAT IF THE WX IMPROVED HE WOULD FLY UP TO THE SITE. AS THE PAX ARRIVED AT THE SITE, HE HEARD THE HELICOPTER START ITS ENG & PROCEED TO FLY TOWARD HIS POSITION. IT HOVERED FOR A SHORT TIME, & THEN BEGAN DESCENDING TOWARD THE SW INTO A CLOUD COVER. ABOUT 20 SECS LATER HE HEARD THE CRASH. HE LOCATED THE CRASH SITE THROUGH THE DENSE CLOUD COVER BY SMELLING THE BURNING WRECKAGE. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A GYRO HORIZON OR INSTRUMENTED FOR IFR OPERATIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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