# NTSB CHI88LA064: Bell 206B, N21197, Martinsville, IN, February 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1988, 08:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Martinsville, IN
- Coordinates: 39.420463, -86.420845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4205&lon=-86.4208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14046/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA064

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ENGAGED IN INTENTIONAL LOW LEVEL FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DOING ADVERTISING PHOTOGRAPHY, THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A WIRE STRIKE. THE WIRE WOUND AROUND THE MAIN ROTOR AND PULLED THE HELICOPTER TO THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES AND ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED NO REPORTED INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21197](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21197-1991-01-29), registration cancelled 1991-01-29, S/N 3455 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3455
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Roto-Whirl, Inc., doing business as Roto-Whirl
- Registered owner: Michael Zicka Leasing Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 21, 1987
- Departed: IND, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Destination: IND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 10,111 total, 2,705 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 112° at 19 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Observed at: IND, 25 nm away

## 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 19880216002579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880216002579A), Feb 16, 1988: Bell 206B, Martinsville, IN, Substantial damage. Wire strike while flying at low altitude. Acft pulled to ground by wire. Filming a moving vehicle for a commerical.

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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