# NTSB GAA18CA352: Bell 206, N2762P, Orondo, WA, June 17, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 17, 2018, 06:34 local (13:34 UTC) - Place: Orondo, WA - Coordinates: 47.199062, -122.369041 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1991&lon=-122.3690&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97493 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA352 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97493/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97493 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA352 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude. ## 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 operation (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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [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) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during a cherry drying flight, the helicopter climbed slowly over a small hill and then struck power lines on the other side of the hill. The helicopter subsequently made a "medium-hard" impact with a grassy area near the orchard. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the helicopter pilot, during a cherry drying flight, the helicopter climbed slowly over a small hill and struck powerline wires that were on the other side of the hill. The pilot landed the helicopter, but the landing was hard. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2762P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2762P), registered now, S/N 2711 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206 (B) - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2711 - Year built: 1991 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: North Wind Aviation - Registered owner: San Juan Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: S10, Chelan, WA - Destination: Orondo, WA - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; last flight review July 8, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 714.2 total, 35.2 in this make and model, 121.8 as pilot in command, 35.2 in the last 90 days, 22.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KEAT, 30 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 20180617008119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180617008119A), Jun 17, 2018: Bell 206B, Orondo, WA, Substantial damage. N2762P struck power lines while doing orchard work. The pilot of the helicopter states she performed previous flights in the orchard and was aware of the power… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 8, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97493. 9.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 9.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472687&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 348 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472688&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.