# NTSB GAA19CA457: Bell 206, N454MS, Dukedom, TN, July 27, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 27, 2019, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Dukedom, TN
- Coordinates: 36.447776, -88.722503 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4478&lon=-88.7225&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): 99947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA457
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99947/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99947
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA457

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.

## 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)
- [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)

## 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

The pilot reported that, during a low-level agricultural application pass and shortly after he leveled off the helicopter from a turn, the helicopter struck wires and then impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the main and tail rotor systems. The operator 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 an aerial application low pass, shortly after he leveled off the helicopter from a turn, the helicopter struck wires, and impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main and tail rotor systems. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N454MS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N454MS), registered now, S/N 1627, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206 (B)
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20b) (registry code 03081, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1627
- Year built: 1975
- Airframe hours: 11744
- Engines: Allison C-20B-250 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 21, 2019
- Departed: Dukedom, TN
- Destination: Dukedom, TN
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; injuries: minor; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 11, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,892 total, 422 in this make and model, 1,052 as pilot in command, 154 in the last 90 days, 127 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Observed at: KUCY, 13 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 20190727023029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190727023029A), Jul 27, 2019: Bell 206B, Dresden, TN, Destroyed. On July 27, 2019 at 1721 local time, the pilot was flying under part 137 commercial aerial spraying operations for couch helicopter service inc. aircraft…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 16, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99947. 4.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479968&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479969&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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