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BELL 206 L3 accident at Lucerne Valley, CA, 16 Mar 2021
On March 16, 2021, a BELL 206 L3 operated by Redlands Heliflight LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Lucerne Valley, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering with a tailwind, resulting in the helicopter spinning and colliding with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering with a tailwind, resulting in the helicopter spinning and colliding with terrain.
— NTSB Determination
Contributing factors
Yaw control — Not attained/maintainedPilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedAbility to respond/compensate
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 16 Mar 2021 BELL 206 L3 accident near Lucerne Valley, CA?
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering with a tailwind, resulting in the helicopter spinning and colliding with terrain.
Were there any fatalities in the 16 Mar 2021 BELL 206 L3 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 16 Mar 2021 involved a BELL 206 L3, operated by Redlands Heliflight LLC, at Lucerne Valley, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering with a tailwind, resulting in the helicopter spinning and colliding with terrain.
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