# Accident 20250220001719A: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 505, Ririe, ID, February 20, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 20, 2025, 16:41 local time
- Place: Ririe, ID
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.5488° N, 111.7392° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5488&lon=-111.7392&mi=10
- Aircraft: N118LG, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N118LG-2025-12-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 505 (registry code 1182165, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-canada-505) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 505
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 6,075 total, 611 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR25FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA100) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250220001719A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT WAS ENGAGED IN A SIGHT SEEING FLIGHT WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH THE SIDE DOOR OPEN. THE PILOT WAS FLYING LOW OVER RIRIE RESERVOIR IN IDAHO AND FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID CHARTED POWERLINES THAT CROSSED THE RESERVOIR. THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK THE POWERLINES BELOW THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO IMPACT THE FROZEN RESERVOIR DESTROYING THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. IT APPEARS THE PILOT WAS QUALIFIED IN THE OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE AIRCRAFT IN AN AIRWORTHY CONDITION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## 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 WPR25FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA100), Feb 20, 2025: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 505 (N118LG), Ririe, ID, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and decision to maneuver the helicopter at a low altitude, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines.

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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