# Accident 20130218003079A: Bell 206B, Eureka, NV, February 18, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 18, 2013, 14:25 local time
- Place: Eureka, NV
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.4814° N, 115.8392° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4814&lon=-115.8392&mi=10
- Aircraft: N20620, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20620-2018-07-12) (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
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250-C20 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 37,500 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR13GA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13GA128) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130218003079A

## Narrative

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

THE HELICOPTER WAS CONDUCTING PUBLIC AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS FOR THE BLM, SEEDING A BURNED AREA, WHEN IT STRUCK A STATIC LINE STRUNG BETWEEN THE TOPS OF POWER TRANSMISSION TOWERS. AFTER STRIKING THE LINE, THE MAIN ROTORS AND ROTOR HEAD SEVERED FROM THE TOP OF THE MAST AND WERE FOUND ABOUT 40 YARDS NORTH-NORTHEAST OF THE POWER LINES. THE REMAINDER OF THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED TERRAIN ON ITS LEFT SIDE APPROXIMATELY 90 YARDS NORTH OF THE POWER LINES. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED.

## 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 WPR13GA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13GA128), Feb 18, 2013: Bell 206B (N20620), Eureka, NV, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire while maneuvering during low-altitude operations. Contributing to the accident was task- and/or work-related fatigue.

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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