# NTSB GAA17CA393: Bell 206, N8159J, Dixon, KY, July 6, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2017, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Dixon, KY - Coordinates: 37.532222, -87.765274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5322&lon=-87.7653&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 95519 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA393 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95519/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95519 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA393 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequately identify hazards to flight during agricultural application operation planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that he was maneuvering at low altitude during an agricultural application flight. While in a left turn, he did not see the power lines until they were very close. He increased the collective to climb, and he banked right to avoid impact. However, the tail rotor struck the power lines, and the helicopter lost tail rotor effectiveness. The pilot conducted an autorotation and landed the helicopter, but the tailboom impacted trees. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor gear box, the tail rotor blades, and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that he was maneuvering at low altitude during an agricultural application flight. While in a left turn he did not see the power line wires until they were very close. He increased the collective to climb and he banked right to avoid impact. However, the tail rotor struck the power line wires and the helicopter lost tail rotor effectiveness. The pilot autorotated and the helicopter landed, but the tailboom impacted trees. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor gear box, the tail rotor blades and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8159J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8159J), registered now, S/N 512, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206 (B) - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20) (registry code 54178, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 512 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 15775 - Engines: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Forming Agrotors Inc - Registered owner: Forming Agrotors Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 18, 2017 - Departed: Dixon, KY - Destination: Dixon, KY - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 14, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,710 total, 1,204 in this make and model, 1,572 as pilot in command, 163 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KRPJ, 17 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 20170706010559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170706010559A), Jul 6, 2017: Bell 206B, Dixon, KY, Substantial damage. The part 137 pilot stated he lost track of powerlines while spraying the field. He hit powerlines with the tail rotor and landed the aircraft in a nearby open… ## Other investigations on N8159J (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA77FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77FA027), Jan 27, 1977: Bell 206A (N8159J), Lantana, FL, no damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95519. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457642&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF 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.