Accident Details
On a flight from Avalon to San Pedro, two Bell 206 helicopters, registration N3913Z operated by Helitrans and N5759Y operated by Island Express, departed Avalon two minutes apart. Their arrival route to the destination was over a river, with an angling final approach around a floating restaurant. The heliport was located in a congested area near a bridge, building, and boat dock. Each pilot made the required radio call on UNICOM frequency when 2.5 miles out. They switched to 123.30 MHz between the river mouth and the heliport to check on flying at another operator's location, then switched back to UNICOM. The pilot of N5759Y also checked in on his company frequency. As the first flight (N3913Z) arrived, a boat was docking; the pilot executed a go-around but did not make a radio call. While N3913Z was on its second approach, N5759Y converged from the direction of the setting sun in a left turn around the floating restaurant, and the aircraft collided. Neither pilot called final approach. N5759Y crashed into the water; N3913Z hit the edge of the heliport, rolled over.
Operational Context
A passenger on N5759Y had difficulty egressing; the source states there was an inadequate briefing before the flight. The heliport owner (Los Angeles Port Authority) did not provide restrictions of operating permits to the operators. The operators did not abide by the heliport owner's five-minute separation rule. There was minimal oversight by the FAA and the California Department of Aeronautics. The pilot of N3913Z lacked 10 hours of required training. The heliport was certified for seaplane operations.
Investigation Findings
The source lists multiple factors but does not state a probable cause.