CEN21LA225

The pilot was performing aerial application operations when the helicopter collided with a power line and subsequently impacted terrain. The pilot was fatally injured. The accident occurred during the pilot’s 21st pass over the field that day, and the pilot had been maneuvering to avoid the wire numerous times prior to the accident. Examination of the helicopter revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the power line during the aerial application flight.

On May 18, 2021, about 1430 central daylight time, a Bell OH-58A helicopter, N176SJ, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ulysses, Kansas. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The helicopter impacted a powerline while the pilot was applying chemicals to a field. The operator reported that the accident pass was the pilot’s 21st pass over the field, and that the pilot had been maneuvering over the powerline during the previous passes. The loader who was at the scene reported that the helicopter passed the wires, and he heard two loud pops. The helicopter collided with terrain about 60° nose-low, and the loader called emergency services. The pilot succumbed to his injuries in the hospital 2 days after the accident. The Kearny County, Kansas, coroner issued a certificate of death and listed the cause of death as massive blunt trauma (to) head, torso, and extremities. Toxicology testing on the pilot’s hospital admission blood was positive for norketamine (metabolite of anesthetic ketamine), famotidine (antacid), and ondansetron (antinausea medication). These medications were likely given to the pilot during postaccident medical treatment. The helicopter impacted a field and came to rest on its side about 150 yards from the power lines. All major components of the helicopter were located at the accident site. The forward cockpit area was crushed and distorted. Both main rotor blades were damaged and remained attached to the main rotor hub. The main rotor hub was impact separated from the transmission. Flight control continuity was established throughout the helicopter through areas that were fractured with signatures consistent with overload. A portion of the power line was found on the ground between the wire strike location and the wreckage. The helicopter was equipped with wire cutters, but they did not display signatures of damage or wire contact.