# NTSB ANC08LA127: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, N305MH, Homer, AK, September 26, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 2008, 16:15 local (Sep 26, 2008, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Homer, AK - Coordinates: 59.879165, -150.978057 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8792&lon=-150.9781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: External load event (Rotorcraft)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 69170 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69170/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA127 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an external load lift. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of situational awareness. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: External load event (Rotorcraft)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480/sequence.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airline transport helicopter pilot was assisting an electric utility company in positioning personnel and equipment under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. While lifting an external load, he reported that he had completed the hovering long-line hookup, but forgot that he was directly under high tension power lines. He said that as he started to extend the line the main rotor blades contacted and severed the power lines. The pilot said that his next memory was being on the ground looking at the wreckage. He said the helicopter was operating normally until he contacted the wires. The helicopter sustained damage to the fuselage and rotor system. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 2008, about 1615 Alaska daylight time, a Bell 206L-1 helicopter, N305MH, sustained substantial damage when it collided with power lines about 21 miles northeast of Homer, Alaska. The helicopter was being operated by Maritime Helicopters, Homer, as a visual flight rules (VFR) external load flight in conjunction with a local public utilities contract under Title 14, CFR Part 133, when the accident occurred. The solo airline transport pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. In a written statement dated October 15, the pilot reported that he completed the hover hookup of a long line, and forgot he was directly under high tension power lines. He said he started to lift the line when the main rotor blades contacted and severed the power lines. He reported that his next memory was being on the ground looking at the helicopter wreckage. He said that all helicopter operations were normal until contact with the wires. The helicopter sustained damage to the fuselage and rotor system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N305MH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N305MH-2008-11-04), registration cancelled 2008-11-04, S/N 45386, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206L-1 - Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 45386 - Airframe hours: 22274 - Engines: ALLISON 250 SER 250HP 250 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Maritime Helicopters Inc, doing business as Maritime Helicopter - Registered owner: Maritime Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 5, 2008 - Departed: Homer, AK - Destination: Homer, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080925848489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080925848489A), Sep 25, 2008: Bell 206L1, Homer, AK, Substantial damage. (-23)The helicopter lifted off from the landing area, to allow for ground personnel to attach a long line load. When the load was attached the pilot proceeded… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.