# NTSB BFO89FA033: Bell UH-1B, N508SC, Oldtown, MD, May 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1989, 07:08 local (11:08 UTC)
- Place: Oldtown, MD
- Coordinates: 39.539299, -78.609085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5393&lon=-78.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA033

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION (INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT).   FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:   THE OBSTRUCTION (STATIC WIRES), AND THE LACK OF VISUAL CUES FOR THE PILOT TO DETECT THE WIRES.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE SPRAYING OVER HILLY/WOODED TERRAIN FOR CONTROL OF GYPSY MOTHS, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TWO 3/8 INCH SHIELD CABLES (ATOP A PWR LINE) NEAR THE BOUNDARY OF THE AREA TO BE SPRAYED.  WITNESSES SAW SPRAY COMING OUT OF THE SPRAY BOOMSAT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER THEN RAISE UP & FELL TO THE RIGHT BEFORE THE HELICOPTER CRASHEDON THE SIDE OF A HILL.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE HELICOPTER WAS FOUND. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A WIRE CUTTER KIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N508SC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 60-3594
- Airframe hours: 5362
- Engines: LYCOMING LTC-1K-1 1100 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Precision Air Services, Inc., doing business as Colony Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Benton J. Oliver
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1989, 17 hours before
- Departed: WARRIOR MTN, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,014 total, 1,429 in this make and model, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CBE, 7 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 19890522012089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890522012089A), May 22, 1989: Bell UH1B, Oldtown, MD, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Spraying gypsy moths over wooded terrain with buckets on long line. Collided with cables. Nosed up and crashed.

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.

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