Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 2651; Flight Crew Type 254
Other / Unknown
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Human Factors; Airspace Structure
Pilot's (3 aboard - PIC/Instructor/Pilot in passenger seat/rear); departed LGB on a recurrency training flight. The chosen route of flight was along I-710 (Long Beach Freeway); I-5 (Santa Ana Freeway); I-10 (Santa Monica Freeway); then westbound along the Hollywood Hills. Pilot's departed LGB via the North Downey helicopter arrival/departure procedure. Pilot was level at 1;800 FT; northbound along I-710; approximately halfway between I-105 and I-5 when the pilot; flying from the left seat; noticed a low wing airplane at their 3 o'clock position and altitude; on a collision course. Pilot executed an evasive maneuver to avoid a mid-air collision which resulted in the airplane over flying with approximately 50 FT of clearance. Regular position reports were being transmitted on 123.025 as recommended on the Los Angeles Helicopter route chart. Prior to the training flight; as well as with the 2 previous training flights; collision avoidance; in conjunction with emergency procedures; as well as the selection/s of altitude use; were discussed. Congestion and use by other law enforcement; news media; tour and general aviation aircraft made the selection and use of an altitude that did not correspond at a 500 FT interval a logical choice. The floor of the Class Bravo in the area where the incident occurred is 2;000 FT. It appeared to all pilot's that the aircraft was flying just beneath the Class Bravo to avoid obtaining clearance to fly westbound when it was spotted. The pilot also was not making position reports on 123.025 as recommended while flying in the LA Basin. Although all pilots were actively conducting collision avoidance procedures; none could conclude any logical reason for the aircraft's position; heading and altitude when noticed.
Northbound helicopter pilot experiences a NMAC at 1;800 FT beneath LAX Class B along I-710. Evasive action is taken with the westbound aircraft passing 50 FT above the helicopter.