# NTSB ANC20CA070: Bell 206L-1, N1432D, Homer, AK, July 16, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 16, 2020, 15:14 local (23:14 UTC) - Place: Homer, AK - Coordinates: 59.400001, -153.516662 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.4000&lon=-153.5167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101627 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101627/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101627 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to see and avoid the boat's mast, which resulted in a main rotor blade strike. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning by not having the boat's mast measured. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: External load event (Rotorcraft)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480); 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) - [Maneuvering-hover: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during maneuvering for external load operations to a boat, the helicopter suddenly began to shake violently. He immediately realized the helicopter had struck the boat with the main rotor blades; he jettisoned the 50 ft longline, the skid-based emergency flotation system was activated, and the helicopter landed on the water without further incident. A post-accident examination revealed that the helicopter had struck the boat's mast and sustained substantial damage to the two main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further added, he should have measured the boat mast height prior to operation instead of visually estimating the height and instead used a 100 ft long-line. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during maneuvering for external load operations to a boat, the helicopter suddenly began to shake violently. He immediately realized the helicopter had struck the boat with the main rotor blades; he jettisoned the 50 ft longline, the skid-based emergency flotation system was activated, and the helicopter landed on the water without further incident. A post-accident examination revealed that the helicopter had struck the boat's mast and sustained substantial damage to the two main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further added, he should have measured the boat mast height prior to operation instead of visually estimating the height and instead used a 100 ft long-line. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1432D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1432D-2021-06-28), registration cancelled 2021-06-28, S/N 45741, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206L-1 - Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C30P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c30p) (registry code 54013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 45741 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 21432.5 - Engines: Rolls Royce Allison 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: External load, Part 133 - Operator: Egli Air Haul Inc - Registered owner: Heliotrope Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2020 - Departed: N/A, Augustine Islan, AK - Destination: Homer, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Satellite tracking device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 20, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 26,995 total, 521 in this make and model, 26,769 as pilot in command, 117 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: PASO, 56 nm away ## 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 20200716018099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200716018099A), Jul 16, 2020: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, King Salmon, AK, Minor damage. On July 16th, 2020, the pilot in command meet the complete boat crew to discuss safety around the aircraft. He asked the crew if they knew the length of the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101627. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10022023&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident pictures (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10023602&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20pictures-Rel.pdf 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.