# NTSB DEN05LA024: Bell 206B3, N130JH, Eureka, UT, November 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 13, 2004, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Eureka, UT - Coordinates: 39.940223, -112.129005 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9402&lon=-112.1290&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60552 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60552/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05LA024 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making and failure to maintain obstacle clearance, resulting in contact with a power transmission line. Contributing factors include the intentional low-level maneuver, the power transmission line, and the pilot's inadequate visual lookout. ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was flying above a highway and was repositioning for a filming operation. He approached a hill and climbed to an altitude of approximately 100 feet agl. After cresting the hill, he scanned the area ahead. He noticed a series of power transmission poles, paralleling the right side of the road ahead, but did not see any on the left. The pilot descended to approximately 30 feet agl to continue to follow the road. As he leveled out, at approximately 40 knots, the helicopter struck a power transmission line that stretched across the road. The pilot stated that he saw a "flash," and felt the helicopter begin to "vibrate and shake." He stated that he had cyclic and collective control, and attempted a forced landing on the road. The helicopter impacted the road, slid approximately 50 yards into the right side ditch. When the helicopter came to a stop, it rocked up on its nose, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. As the main rotor assembly pitched backward, the main rotor blades severed the tail boom, and then the main rotor hub and blade assembly separated from the mast. The helicopter remained upright and on its landing skids. ## Factual narrative On November 13, 2004, approximately 1330 mountain standard time, a Bell 206B3, N130JH, operated by AV Enterprises, Inc., was substantially damaged when it struck a power transmission line while maneuvering near Eureka, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated at Faust, Utah, at 1300. According to the pilot, he was following Highway 36 near Eureka, and was repositioning for a filming operation. As he approached a hill, he climbed to an altitude of approximately 100 feet agl. After cresting the hill, he scanned the area ahead. He stated that he noticed a series of power transmission poles, paralleling the right side of the road ahead, but did not see any on the left. The pilot descended to approximately 30 feet agl. As he leveled out, at approximately 40 knots, the helicopter struck a power transmission line that stretched across the road. The pilot stated that he saw a "flash," and felt the helicopter begin to "vibrate and shake." He stated that he had cyclic and collective control, and attempted a forced landing on the road. The helicopter impacted the road, slid approximately 50 yards into the right side ditch. When the helicopter came to a stop, it rocked up on its nose, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. As the main rotor assembly pitched backward, the main rotor blades severed the tail boom, and then the main rotor hub and blade assembly separated from the mast. The helicopter remained upright and on its landing skids. The pilot stated that after the accident, he surveyed the area and noticed a power transmission pole on the left side of the road that was approximately 190 yards from the series of power transmission poles that were paralleling the right side of the road. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - run on landing - performed, pilot in command - Hard landing, descent - emergency - rotor system,main rotor - separation - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - sheared ## Aircraft - Registration: [N130JH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N130JH), registered now, S/N 4166 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B3 - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4166 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: AV Enterprises, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Faust, UT - Destination: Eureka, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 5, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 4,484 total, 1,706 in this make and model, 3,665 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KPVU, 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 20041113029479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041113029479A), Nov 13, 2004: Bell 206B, Vernon, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot statement: "flying a filming mission paralleling hwy 36 toward eureka, UT. Came over a small hill over which I climbed to approximately 70 ft.… 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.