Wasco-Kern County Airport, Wasco, CA

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Airport Area Accident History:
Accident occurred Tuesday, September 12, 2006 in Wasco, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 3/31/2008
Aircraft: Cessna U206G, registration: N6238U
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot had been flying for over 2 hours performing aerial application of sterile pink bollworms when he needed to take a restroom break. He landed the airplane, set the engine at idle, engaged the parking brake , and exited the airplane. While in the restroom, he heard an engine pitch change and heard the parking brake disengage. He exited the bathroom and watched as the airplane started to move away across the parking ramp. The pilot stated that the airplane reached about 30 mph as it departed his immediate vicinity. The pilot chased after the airplane and watched as it went through the airport perimeter fence, struck a sign, crossed two roads, and came to rest adjacent to an almond orchard. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing strut and leading edges of both wings.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot's improper decision in leaving the engine running while he left the airplane unattended.

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Accident occurred Tuesday, March 07, 2000 in Wasco, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/18/2003
Aircraft: Bell 47G-4A, registration: N1354X
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot landed the single-engine helicopter in a muddy field after experiencing a loss of engine power while climbing through 200 feet. The pilot reported hearing and feeling a bang, then a jolt to the left, followed by a loss of engine power. The pilot landed the helicopter in a field with furrows, which forced the tail up resulting in a tail strike. After the accident, the pilot reported to the operator that he may have experienced carburetor icing. An overhaul of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented the engine's operation. According to the FAA's Carburetor Icing Probability Chart with the reported temperature and dew point , the conditions existed for "Serious Icing at Cruise Power."

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Factors included the ambient carburetor icing conditions and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.



Wasco-Kern County Airport Approach / Landing: