# NTSB LAX00LA326: Bell 206B-3, N207EH, Salinas, CA, August 30, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 2000, 06:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Salinas, CA
- Coordinates: 36.669635, -121.609169 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6696&lon=-121.6092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA326
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA326

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate visual surveillance of the worksite to see and avoid power transmission wires.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot of the agricultural application helicopter completed chemical application at one site and then proceeded to a second application site.  While setting up to begin application at the second site, the helicopter struck 12KV electrical power transmission wires without the pilot ever seeing them.  He landed the helicopter and observed that the rotor pitch change links were damaged.  The pilot attributed the accident to improper reconnaissance of the area prior to starting the application.

## Factual narrative

On August 30, 2000, at 0615 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B-3, N207EH, was substantially damaged when the agricultural application helicopter impacted electrical power transmission lines, 5 miles west of Salinas, California.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter, operated by Helicare Ag, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 137, departed from Salinas about 0550.

The pilot reported that, after departure from the airport, he completed chemical application at one site and then proceeded to a second application site.  While setting up to begin application at the second site, the helicopter struck 12KV power transmission lines without the pilot ever seeing them.  The pilot landed the helicopter and observed that the rotor pitch change links were damaged.  He attributed the accident to improper reconnaissance of the area prior to starting the application.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N207EH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N207EH), registered now, S/N 51554, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206B-3
- Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C30P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c30p) (registry code 54013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3296
- Airframe hours: 8235
- Engines: Allison 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Helicare Ag Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 26, 2000, 81 hours before
- Departed: SNS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,960 total, 750 in this make and model, 2,191 as pilot in command, 126 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 135 °F, dew point 129 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS, 5 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 20000830036149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000830036149A), Aug 30, 2000: Bell 206B, Salinas, CA, No damage. (-23) Pilot flew thru three strands of electrical wire. The time was just becoming daylight. One push/pull tube to the main rotor was severed. A landing…

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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