Summary
On July 06, 2017, a Bell 206 (N8159J) was involved in an incident near Dixon, KY. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequately identify hazards to flight during agricultural application operation planning.
The helicopter pilot reported that he was maneuvering at low altitude during an agricultural application flight.
While in a left turn he did not see the power line wires until they were very close. He increased the collective to climb and he banked right to avoid impact. However, the tail rotor struck the power line wires and the helicopter lost tail rotor effectiveness.
The pilot autorotated and the helicopter landed, but the tailboom impacted trees. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor gear box, the tail rotor blades and the vertical stabilizer.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA393. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8159J.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequately identify hazards to flight during agricultural application operation planning.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The helicopter pilot reported that he was maneuvering at low altitude during an agricultural application flight.
While in a left turn he did not see the power line wires until they were very close. He increased the collective to climb and he banked right to avoid impact. However, the tail rotor struck the power line wires and the helicopter lost tail rotor effectiveness.
The pilot autorotated and the helicopter landed, but the tailboom impacted trees. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor gear box, the tail rotor blades and the vertical stabilizer.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA393