# NTSB CEN21LA225: Bell OH58A, N176SJ, Ulysses, KS, May 18, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 18, 2021, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Ulysses, KS - Coordinates: 37.565617, -101.37033 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5656&lon=-101.3703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103107 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103107/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103107 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA225 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during the aerial application flight, which resulted in collision with the power line and subsequent impact with terrain. ## 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 · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N176SJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N176SJ), registered now, S/N 70-15556, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL OH58A (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Bell OH-58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a) (registry code 1181579) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison T63 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-t63-series) (registry code 03031, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 70-15556 - Year built: 1970 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C20C 425 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Tri-Rotor Crop Services LLC, doing business as Tri-Rotor Crop Services LLC - Registered owner: Tri Rotor Spray & Chemical - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 11, 2021, 8,382.7 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: n/a ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: fatal; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 21, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 9 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KGCK, 38 nm away - METAR: KGCK 181854Z 13009G17KT 10SM SCT100 19/13 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP118 T01940133 ## 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 20210518006859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210518006859A), May 18, 2021: Bell OH-58A, Ulysses, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The accident happened about 10 miles north of Ulysses KS when a power line strike occurred during helicopter agricultural spray operations. The accident was… ## Other investigations on N176SJ (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 LAX98LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA134), Apr 9, 1998: Bell OH-58A (N176SJ), Huron, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to deteriorated O-ring seals in the fuel boost pump, which allowed air to enter the fuel lines. Factors in the accident were the inadequate manufacturer's inspection… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103107. 44.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 22.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14599325&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Document%20(760)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot information (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 20.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14599567&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Information_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14609559&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%203%20CEN21LA225-Rel.pdf - Case findings (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14609673&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Case%20Findings%20CEN21LA225-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 265 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14607987&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Tox_Redacted-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.