# NTSB FTW90LA133: Bell 206B, N3894L, San Antonio, TX, July 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1990, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.540035, -98.489364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5400&lon=-98.4894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA133

## Probable cause

THE LINEMAN/FLIGHT CREWMAN NOT FOLLOWING PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, hover
  - procedures/directives - not followed, other crewmember (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS CONDUCTING A BAREHAND LIVE-LINE OPERATION OVER THE 345,000-VOLT ENERGIZED POWER LINE, AND WAS LOWERING THE ELECTRICAL LINEWORKER/FLIGHT CREWMAN TOWARD THE WORK AREA. THE WORKER RAISED HIS ARM WHICH COMPROMISED THE AIRGAP, AND RESULTED IN A FLASHOVER AND ELECTROCUTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3894L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3218
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Biscayne Helicopter, Inc.
- Registered owner: South Seas Helicopter, Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1990, 54 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,000 total, 3,400 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT

## 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 19900706024389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900706024389A), Jul 6, 1990: Bell 206B, San Antonio, TX, 1 fatal. (.4)The helicopter was conducting a barehand live-line operation over the 345,000-volt energized power line, and was lowering the electrical lineworker/flight…

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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