# Accident 20020830025389A: Bell 206L3, Canoncity, CO, August 30, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 30, 2002
- Place: Canoncity, CO
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.4528° N, 105.2844° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4528&lon=-105.2844&mi=10
- Aircraft: N43GA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43GA-2004-06-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 206L-3 (registry code 1182108, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C30 series (registry code 03015, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DEN02LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02LA101) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020830025389A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE PILOT WAS RETURNING TO THE HELIPAD FROM THE ROYAL GORGE WHEN HE STRUCK A WIRE ON A ELECTRICAL POWER LINE WHILE MANEUVERING DURING LOW LEVEL FLIGHT IN A REMOTE AREA, (BLM LAND). THE WIRE STRIKE DAMAGED THE HELICOPTER'S ROTOR SYSTEMS PITCH CHANGE TUBES DISABLING THE CONTROLS. THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND VERTICALLY CRUSHING THE LOWER FUSELAGE, SEPARATING THE MAIN TAIL BOOM AND PORTIONS OF THE MAIN ROTORS.

## 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 DEN02LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02LA101), Aug 30, 2002: Bell 206L-III (N43GA), Canon City, CO, destroyed. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance of a static wire, and the subsequent loss of aircraft control due to the main rotor pitch change tubes being severed.

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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