# NTSB MIA89LA202: Bell TH-13T, N65212, Jay, FL, July 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1989, 20:12 local (Jul 20, 1989, 01:12 UTC)
- Place: Jay, FL
- Coordinates: 30.949779, -87.149604 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9498&lon=-87.1496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA202

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE POWER LINE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DUSK, TRANSMISSION (POWER) LINES, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL CUES (VISUAL PERCEPTION) AT DUSK.

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT AT DUSK, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE AS THE PILOT WAS MAKING A SWATH RUN. AFTER HITTING THE POWER LINE, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED LEFT, ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65212](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65212-1991-06-25), registration cancelled 1991-06-25, S/N 3613 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL TH-13T
- Registry model: [Bell TH-13T](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-th-13t) (registry code 1180813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3613
- Engines: LYCOMING O-425-A1F 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Stewart, Michael
- Registered owner: Michael C Stewart
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,159 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNS, 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 19890719023759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890719023759A), Jul 19, 1989: Bell TH13T, Jay, FL, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines and crashed while spraying chemicals on a cotten field.

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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