# NTSB GAA19CA278: Bell 206, N158H, Pittsfield, IL, May 23, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 23, 2019, 12:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Pittsfield, IL
- Coordinates: 39.651668, -90.809997
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6517&lon=-90.8100&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: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99475
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99475/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99475
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA278

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain during agricultural application operations.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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)
- [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=1181511), [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 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)

## Analysis

The helicopter pilot reported that, during his third agricultural application pass over a hilly field, he quickly glanced at an instrument inside the cockpit, and the helicopter impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the cabin, fuselage, and tailboom. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector 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, during his third aerial application pass over a hilly field, he quickly glanced at his instrument inside the cockpit and the helicopter impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the cabin, fuselage, and tailboom. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N158H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N158H-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 2974, built 1980 (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-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (registry code 54385, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2974
- Year built: 1980
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C20B turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hlw Aviation Llc
- Registered owner: Hlw Aviation Llc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: PPQ, Pittsfield, IL
- Destination: PPQ, Pittsfield, IL
- Airport: PPQ, Pittsfield Penstone Muni
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 24, 2018; seat: right; flight hours: 1,155 total, 730 in this make and model, 765 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KPPQ, 2 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 20190523005069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190523005069A), May 23, 2019: Bell 206B, Pittsfield, IL, Substantial damage. On may 23, 2019 at approximately 12:25 central daylight time (CDT), an Bell 206B helicopter, N158H, registered to orlando aircraft sales LLC and operated by a…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 16, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99475. 724 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 538 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- FAA Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479951&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479952&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.

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