# NTSB CEN25LA396: Bell 206, N565VA, Archer City, TX, September 27, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 27, 2025, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Archer City, TX - Coordinates: 33.592, -98.7308 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5920&lon=-98.7308&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2026 - 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): 201738 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA396 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201738/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201738 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA396 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while herding livestock. ## 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 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) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to herd livestock when the helicopter contacted a powerline which damaged the main rotor system and resulted in a loss of control. The helicopter crash-landed into a shallow ditch and came to rest on its right side. The pilot was able to egress with minor injuries before the helicopter was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N565VA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N565VA), registered now, S/N 3107 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206 (B3) - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3107 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 13318 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 2025 - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Heads up display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,094 total, 764 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KRPH, 30 nm away - METAR: METAR KRPH 271735Z AUTO 23004KT 10SM CLR 30/12 A3000 RMK AO2 T02990123= ## 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 20250927014719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250927014719A), Sep 27, 2025: Bell 206B, Archer City, TX, Destroyed. On September 27, 2025, a Bell jet ranger was destroyed after the pilot struck a powerline with the tail rotor. The aircraft impacted the ground and rolled onto… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 15, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201738. 9.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 8.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19667362&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA396%20-%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 823 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19667563&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA396%20-%20PHOTOS-Rel.pdf - Conversation with pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19671729&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA396%20-%20%20PILOT%20-%20NO%20MECHANICALS-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.