NTSB CAROL · Event
Event LAX82DA234
Aircraft involved
Factual narrative
DURING TAKEOFF FROM A LANDING DOLLY, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT. HE REALIZED THAT HE HAD A TAIL ROTOR FAILURE, BUT REPORTED THAT HE WAS HALF OVER THE DOLLY AND HEADED TOWARD A JET RANGER AND A FUEL SYSTEM. HE STATED THAT HE PULLED BACK INSTEAD OF CHOPPING THE THROTTLE, BUT THEN THE HELICOPTER TURNED TOWARD A HANGER. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CRASHED IN A COTTON FIELD AWAY FROM THE BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN BURNING, BUT THE OCCUPANTS WERE HELPED OUT OF THE COCKPIT BY OTHER PERSONNEL. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1982_LAX82DA234.txt.
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