# NTSB FTW03LA197: Bell 206B, N9877Z, Mason, TX, August 20, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 2003, 19:45 local (Aug 20, 2003, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Mason, TX - Coordinates: 30.732221, -99.184448 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7322&lon=-99.1844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 57730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57730/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA197 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power line. A contributing factor was the sunglare. ## 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 - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The 3,225-hour pilot reported that he was video-filming an automobile driving westbound into the sunset. The pilot further stated that "as we continued down the highway, we came upon the second set of wires before I thought we should have. With the sun in my eyes, I did not see them until maybe a second before we impacted it." The helicopter descended in a slight nose low attitude and impacted the highway, then skidded off the road into a ditch. An examination of the helicopter by an FAA inspector who responded to the accident site revealed that the helicopter caught fire after it came to a stop and was destroyed. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 2003, about 1945 central daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N9877Z, registered to and operated by Crystal Finger Corp DBA of Liberty Hill, Texas, sustained substantial damage when it impacted power lines and the ground while maneuvering near Mason, Texas. The airline transport pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial photography flight. The flight originated from Burnet Municipal Airport-Kate Craddock Field (BMQ), near Burnet, Texas, approximately 1630, with an intermediate stop at a local field site. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 3,225-hour pilot stated that he was maneuvering the helicopter westward along State Highway 29 toward Mason, Texas, for the purpose of video-filming an automobile driving westbound into the sunset. There were two sets of power lines that crossed the highway in the area that the filming was to take place. The pilot further stated that "as we continued down the highway, we came upon the second set of wires before I thought we should have. With the sun in my eyes, I did not see them until maybe a second before we impacted it." After striking the wire, the pilot added, the helicopter descended in a slight nose low attitude and impacted the highway, then skidded off the road into a ditch. An examination of the helicopter by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that "the helicopter caught fire after it came to a stop, due to the exhaust pipe being on the grass, and was destroyed." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9877Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9877Z-2003-12-06), registration cancelled 2003-12-06, S/N 1732, 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-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1732 - Airframe hours: 8083.9 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Crystal Finger Corp DBA - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 2003, 5 hours before - Departed: BMQ, Burnet, TX - Destination: XS12, LIBERTY HILL, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 16, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 3,225 total, 725 in this make and model, 2,650 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: T82, 35 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 20030819028019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030819028019A), Aug 19, 2003: Bell 206B, Mason County, TX, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was reportedly doing a dry run for a video when the helicopter he was piloting hit the bottom wire of electrical lines going across the highway.… 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.