# NTSB CEN23LA280: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, N828WP, Amity, MO, July 5, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 5, 2023, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Amity, MO
- Coordinates: 39.871202, -94.435221 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8712&lon=-94.4352&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: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192546
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192546/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192546
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA280

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to see and avoid wires while conducting a low-level aerial application flight.

## 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)
- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=1182107), [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 Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight, the helicopter impacted wires that he did not see, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor blades. He stated that a road that paralleled the field dipped down, which made the wires appear below the horizon. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N828WP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N828WP), registered now, S/N 45294, built 1979 (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: [Rolls-Royce 250-C30P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c30p) (registry code 54013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45294
- Year built: 1979
- Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C30P turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Cedar Ridge Aviation LLC
- Registered owner: Cedar Ridge Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; remote, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 25, 2023; seat: right; flight hours: 4,400 total, 58 in this make and model, 77 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KSTJ, 23 nm away
- METAR: KSTJ 051853Z VRB03KT 10SM SCT025 SCT075 SCT100 26/19 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP167 T02610194

## 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 20230705016669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230705016669A), Jul 5, 2023: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, Amity, MO, Destroyed. During agricultural spray operations, the aircraft was making a final pass to the south when it impacted power lines and came to rest in a corn field.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192546. 6.7 MB in all.

- Pilot's statement (item 1, PDF, 3 pages, 5.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15814974&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Questionnaire%20Walters_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Mfr - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15814984&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 765 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15814903&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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.

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