# NTSB CEN24LA368: Bell 206, N92PH, Lexington, NE, September 25, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 25, 2024, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Lexington, NE - Coordinates: 40.774919, -99.844417 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7749&lon=-99.8444&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 FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195203 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA368 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195203/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195203 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA368 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain proper clearance from powerlines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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 206B, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While performing an aerial application flight, the pilot was tasked with identifying the target vegetation and then spraying the applicant. The pilot had performed a reconnaissance of the general area and was aware of the powerlines nearby. He stated that it was getting late in the day and the sun was now setting to the west. After making a spray run, the pilot pulled up but had misjudged his distance from the power lines and did not see them clearly, possibly due to sun blindness. The helicopter collided with the power lines, impacted terrain, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot sustained head and chest injuries. He stated that his head injuries would not have occurred had he worn a helmet. His helmet had been stolen from his helicopter about 10 days prior to the accident and with only 20 days left to spray opted to fly without one until he could purchase a replacement. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92PH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92PH), registered now, S/N 3402, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206 (B) - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3402 - Year built: 1981 - Engines: Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Provine Helicopter Service Inc, doing business as Provine Helicopter Service Inc - Registered owner: Provine Helicopter Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 26, 2024, 57.7 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 7, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 13,075 total, 6,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Observed at: KLXN, 4 nm away - METAR: KLXN 252335Z AUTO 15005KT 10SM CLR 27/08 A2999 RMK AO2 T02690084 ## 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 20240925017069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240925017069A), Sep 25, 2024: Bell 206B, Lexington, NE, Substantial damage. Pilot was operating under part 137. During an application run he lost sight of known wires on his ag turn due to sun glare. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 13, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195203. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 685 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18244078&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18243195&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photo (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1 photo, 601 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18245512&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=cen24la368%20investigative%20photo-Rel.pdf - Additional documents (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18243983&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Extra%20Documents_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18244122&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Release%20signed_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.