# NTSB CHI80FEP53: Bell 206, N256DE, Grafton, WI, September 8, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: September 8, 1980
- Place: Grafton, WI · GRAFTON, WI
- Location: 43.3240° N, 87.9454° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grafton, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3240&lon=-87.9454&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI80FEP53
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FEP53

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2657   80/9/8    GRAFTON,WI          BELL 206            CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 44, 5920
        TIME - 1153                    N256DE              PX-  0  1  1  POWER/PIPELINE            TOTAL HOURS, 42 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MADISON,WI                  WESTBEND,WI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - OPERATIONAL SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL: DEFICIENCY,COMPANY MAINTAINED EQPMT,SERVICES,REGULATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- STRUCK UNMARKED CROSSING WIRES.CO POLICY TO MARK & CHART LINES CROSSING PATROLLED LINE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N256DE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800908041219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800908041219A), Sep 8, 1980: Bell 206B, Grafton, WI, Substantial damage. Helicopter on power line patrol struck unmarked guy wires of overruning power line.

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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