# NTSB GAA19CA039: Bell OH 58A, N1032F, Carson City, NV, October 27, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 27, 2018, 14:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Carson City, NV - Coordinates: 39.208889, -119.804725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2089&lon=-119.8047&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 98559 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98559/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98559 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA039 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude in hilly terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to determine the airplane’s altitude due to sun glare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 589 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/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 OH-58A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 794 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 3,368 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while maneuvering at low altitude along a highway, the sun was in line with the helicopter's direction of travel and in his eyes. When the helicopter was about 200 ft above ground level, the main rotor blades struck three power lines strung across the highway. He executed an emergency landing without further incident. The pilot added that the unmarked wires crossed the highway from behind one hill to behind an adjacent hill on the other side of the highway and that the power line poles were not visible due to blocking terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that, while maneuvering at a low altitude the main rotor blades struck power lines. He executed an emergency landing without further incident. The pilot added that the power lines were concealed by the sun and that the power lines were not annotated in his VFR sectional chart. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1032F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1032F), registered now, S/N 70-15595 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell OH 58A (No Series) - Registry model: [Bell OH-58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a) (registry code 1181579) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 70-15595 - Airframe hours: 7027 - Engines: Rolls Royce T63-A720 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Washoe County Sheriffs Office - Registered owner: Washoe County Sheriffs Office - Airworthiness certificate: None - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 10, 2018 - Departed: RNO, Reno, NV - Destination: CXP, Carson City, NV - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 18, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 6,912 total, 2,025 in this make and model, 4,696 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KCXP, 4 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). - [Incident 20181027020929I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181027020929I), Oct 27, 2018: Bell OH-58A, Carson City, NV, Minor damage. Aircraft operated by washoe county sheriff's office (public use) in suppport to U.S. Secret service department as a resource for security operations regarding… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98559. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478878&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478879&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.