| 937 | | 1973 | N20DB rotorcraft technologies: Appears in first 5 minutes of 1974 US film 'The Towering Inferno' painted white, orange & bronze with 'DE Enterprises' decal on left side only. Also appeared in one episode of US TV Series 'The Rockford Files'. Still registered N20DB as of 2003. 
N20DB rotorcraft technologies inc: Used in episode #28 of the Rockford Files The Great Blue Lake Land And Development Company as Sheriff's helicopter. Original Airdate 10/17/1975. Accident with fatalities October 30, 1984 as per NTSB report below. NTSB Identification: LAX85FA036 .
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 26146.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, October 30, 1984 in BEAUMONT, CA
Aircraft: BELL 206B, registration: N20DB
Injuries: 2 Fatal, 1 Serious.
APPROXIMATELY ONE MIN BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT CONTACTED THE TOWER AT NORTON AIR FORCE BASE FOR CLEARANCE THROUGH THEIR TRAFFIC AREA. HE REPORTED INITIALLY THAT HE WAS AT 300 FT AGL. SECONDS LATER HE TRANSMITTED THAT HE WAS AT 100 FT OVER THE FREEWAY. THE REQUEST WAS APPROVED AT OR BELOW 2700 FT MSL WHILE IN THE CONTROL ZONE. THE HELICOPTER FIRST CONTACTED WIRES AT 100 FT AGL. IT THEN DESCENDED INTO A SECOND WIRE AT 80 FT AND A GUY WIRE AT 60 FT. ELEVATION AT THE SIGHT WAS 2,400 FT MSL. THE SITE WAS ABOUT 11 MILES EAST OF NORTON AIR FORCE BASE IN UNCONTROLLED AIRSPACE. WX AT NORTON WAS SKY PARTLY OBSCURED, VISIBILITY 1.5 MILES IN FOG. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT THE REQUEST OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER THE PILOTS PLANNED ROUTE OF FLIGHT WAS CHANGED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF WIRES IN THE AREA AND HAD SLOWED TO 60 KTS AND TURNED THE LANDING LIGHT ON IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN HIS VISUAL LOOKOUT.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: VISUAL LOOKOUT..NOT MAINTAINED..PILOT IN COMMAND
PROPER ALTITUDE..NOT MAINTAINED..PILOT IN COMMAND Contributing Factors WEATHER CONDITION..FOG
WEATHER CONDITION..HAZE/SMOKE
LIGHT CONDITION..DARK NIGHT
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