# Accident 19970703046519A: Bell 206B, Newiberia, LA, July 3, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 3, 1997, 14:35 local time
- Place: Newiberia, LA
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: A05A
- Location: 29.9995° N, 91.8099° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9995&lon=-91.8099&mi=10
- Aircraft: N49661, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49661-2002-12-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 206B (registry code 1181511, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW97LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA252) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970703046519A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PILOT WAS WORKING AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION, A BASKET WITH A 100 FEET CABLE. THE PILOT SET THE BASKET DOWN AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO LAND NEXT TO LOAD. IT APPEARED THAT HE MISJUDGED HIS DISTANCE FROM THE BASKET AND ALLOWED THE CABLE TO BECOME TIGHT. THIS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL OVER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW97LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA252), Jul 3, 1997: Bell 206B (N49661), New Iberia, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision. A related factor was his failure to follow the company procedure of maintaining visual contact with the external long-line cable, while hovering with…

## Other reports on N49661 (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19891205063259I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891205063259I), Dec 5, 1989: Bell 206B (N49661), Meadview, AZ, Minor damage. Aircraft struck powerlines on takeoff. Emergency landing. Pilot stated sun glare obscured lines.
- [Incident 19890930056549I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890930056549I), Sep 30, 1989: Bell 206B (N49661), Boulder City, AZ, Minor damage. Allowed aircraft to drift into outcrop while hovering. Landed in wash. Damaged blade tip.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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