# NTSB CHI94LA161: Bell 206B, N49585, Winnebago, IL, May 12, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1994, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Winnebago, IL
- Coordinates: 42.260261, -89.240653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2603&lon=-89.2407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9530
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9530/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA161

## Probable cause

a wire strike due to failure to maintain proper altitude, and improper visual lookout by the pilot-in-command.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING THE HELICOPTER BELOW THE TREE LINE ABOUT 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHILE FOLLOWING SOME CARS ON THE HIGHWAY.  HE ATTEMPTED A SHARP PULL-UP TO AVOID SOME POWER LINES ACROSS THE HIGHWAY, BUT THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE WIRES.  THE PILOT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION TO A FIELD NORTH OF THE HIGHWAY.  THE HELICOPTER ROLLED-OVER AFTER TOUCHDOWN.

## Factual narrative

On May 12, 1994, about 1230 central daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N49585, sustained substantial damage when it struck a power line and crashed near Winnebago, Illinois.  Neither the airline transport certificated pilot nor the single passenger aboard the helicopter were injured.  The business flight originated at Rockford, Illinois, about 1215, with an intended destination of Galena, Illinois.  No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot-rated passenger who was seated in the right seat was flying the helicopter when it departed Rockford.  He stated the purpose of the flight was to follow some cars to Galena.  He said he was flying at 1200 feet following highway 20 westbound.  After the helicopter cleared the Rockford Regional Airport's airspace, the passenger stated the pilot took control of the helicopter and descended to about 30 feet above the road while following the cars.  He said the helicopter was below the tree line.  He stated the pilot pulled the helicopter up sharply when wires were seen in their flight path.  The helicopter struck one of the wires.  The pilot made an autorotation to a field north of the highway.  The helicopter rolled over after landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49585](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49585-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 1754, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1754
- Airframe hours: 2795
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jimmy John'S, Inc. Of Urbana
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 1994, 20 hours before
- Departed: RFD, ROCKFORD, IL
- Destination: 77LL, GALENA, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,750 total, 7,500 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 12 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 19940512010659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940512010659A), May 12, 1994: Bell 206B, Winnebago, IL, Substantial damage. Flying low over highway following vehicles. Pulled up to miss wires but hit same. Autorated into field. Rolled over

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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