# NTSB DFW06TA054: Aerospatiale AS350-B2, N840BP, Eagle Pass, TX, January 12, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report - Date: January 12, 2006, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Eagle Pass, TX - Coordinates: 28.717777, -100.606391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7178&lon=-100.6064&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63098 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06TA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63098/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06TA054 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the unmarked transmission lines. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention while monitoring ground activity. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - tail rotor/anti-torque control - not available, pilot in command - rotor system,tail rotor - separation - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The 1,672 hour commercial pilot departed the operations base near the border on a routine patrol of the Rio Grande River dividing the two countries. Upon reaching the limits of his search area he reversed course to return to home base. On the return leg he decided to search an area where he had noticed two law enforcement airboats operating north of the port of entry. The pilot reported on the Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that he recalled seeing two sets of power lines on the outbound leg of his patrol. After crossing the first set of power lines and locating the airboats he began a turn to orbit the boats. The pilot added that when he looked up and saw that he was about to hit the second set of wires, he instinctly initiated a cyclic climb to clear the wires; however, the maneuver was initiated too late and the tail rotor impacted the wires resulting in the separation of the tail rotor gear box, tail rotor assembly, and vertical fin. The pilot managed to keep the helicopter in controlled flight and elected to execute an autorotation to a clearing. The helicopter made a successful autorotation and landed upright in the middle of the river, 853 feet from the point of the wire strike. The helicopter came to rest in about 3 feet of water, and the pilot performed an emergency engine shutdown and egressed through the pilot door with assistance from the crews of the airboats. ## Factual narrative On January 12, 2006, approximately 1600 central standard time, a single-engine Aerospatiale AS350-B2 turbo-shaft helicopter, N840BP, registered to and operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Air Operations, was substantially damaged when it impacted wires while maneuvering near Eagle Pass, Texas. The 1,672 hour commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight plan was filed for the public use flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight departed Del Rio International Airport (DRT), near Del Rio, Texas, approximately 1500. A Customs and Border Patrol Safety Officer performed an on-scene examination of the wreckage. The Safety Officer reported that unmarked transmission wires were approximately 100 feet above the water at the impact point and that the helicopter made a successful autorotation and landed upright in the middle of the Rio Grande River, 853 feet from the point of the wire strike. The helicopter came to rest in about 3 feet of water, and the pilot performed an emergency engine shutdown and egressed through the pilot door unassisted. The pilot stated that prior to impacting the wires, his attention was diverted to locating the airboats on the water and searching for ground activity and failed to recognize his proximity to the set of power lines. The wreckage of the helicopter was recovered to the facilities of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Air Operations, at Del Rio, Texas, for further examination. At 1540 CST, the automated weather reporting facility at Piedras Negras, Mexico (MMPG), located approximately 6 miles south of the accident site reported wind light and variable, visibility 7 statute miles, scattered clouds at 16,000 feet, temperature 79 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 54 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.77 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N840BP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N840BP-2008-05-16), registration cancelled 2008-05-16, S/N 2035, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aerospatiale AS350-B2 - Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS350 B2 ECUREUIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as350-b2-ecureuil) (registry code 8680813) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1D1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1d1) (registry code 60053, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2035 - Airframe hours: 11150 - Engines: Turbomeca ARRIEL 1D1 712 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft - federal, Public use - Registered owner: United States Border Patrol Air Operations - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 1, 2006 - Departed: KDRT, Del Rio, TX - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 1,672 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,254 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: MMPG, 6 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 20060112002069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060112002069A), Jan 12, 2006: Snias AS350B2, Eagle Pass, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On Wednesday January 12, 2006 at approximately 17:30 CST, N840BP, an aerospatiale AS350, was conducting surveillance operations along the rio grande… 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.