# Accident 20131028020669A: Bell 206B, Days Creek, OR, October 28, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 28, 2013, 11:48 local time
- Place: Days Creek, OR
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.9536° N, 123.1494° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9536&lon=-123.1494&mi=10
- Aircraft: N16673, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16673-2018-02-28) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 206B (registry code 1181511, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250 SER 400HP (registry code 03013, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250 SER 400HP
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 3
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 4,567 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 91 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR14CA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA052) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131028020669A

## Narrative

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

WHILE FLYING NEAR DAYS CREEK, OREGON, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THREE POWER WIRES CROSSING THE SOUTH FORK OF THE UMPQUA RIVER.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATED BY TL FOREST PRODUCT AND WAS CONTRACTED BY THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW) TO PERFORM FISH EGG BED SURVEYS (PART 91).  THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOLLOWING THE RIVER AT ABOUT 75 FEET AGL.  IT APPEARS THE FIRST WIRE STRUCK THE UPPER WIRE CUTTER OF THE INSTALLED WIRE STRIKE KIT.  THE OTHER TWO WIRES STRUCK THE AIRCAFT, ONE PRESUMABLY TEARING THE LEFT SKID OFF THE AIRCRAFT AND  CUTTING OFF PART OF THE TAILBOOM, THE OTHER MAY HAVE STRUCK THE MAIN ROTOR MAST.   THE PILOT DID NOT SEE THE WIRES, SO COULD  NOT REACT TO THE SITUATION.   THE AIRCRAFT LANDED UPSIDE DOWN IN THE RIVER AND RECEIVED MAJOR DAMAGE.  THE PILOT AND TWO ODFW EMPLOYEES HAD BACK INJURIES AND BROKEN BONES, BUT WERE ABLE TO CRAWL OUT OF THE HELICOPTER AND ONTO THE BELLY WHERE THEY WAITED FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

## 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 WPR14CA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA052), Oct 28, 2013: Bell 206B (N16673), Milo, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to see and avoid wires while maneuvering at a low-altitude, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the wires.

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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