# NTSB MIA96LA200: Bell 206B III, N5015T, Barton, AL, August 4, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 3, 1996, 19:36 local (Aug 4, 1996, 00:36 UTC) - Place: Barton, AL - Coordinates: 34.750751, -87.959365 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7508&lon=-87.9594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38064 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA200 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38064/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA200 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to see-and/or-avoid the obstruction (unmarked power line), while en route between the area that was being treated and the refueling location. The power line and lack of visual cues at dusk were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - visual lookout - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis According to the operator of the helicopter, the purpose of the flight was to defoliate an area of vegetation near power lines by spraying chemicals. The loader of the chemicals indicated that when the flight was due to return for refueling, he observed smoke near where the helicopter was spraying. He then called 911 and reported the crash. Investigation revealed that one of the main rotor blades had contacted a power line that was 97 feet above ground level. The helicopter then descended and impact the ground nose low and rolled onto its right side where it came to rest. Impact damage to the cockpit from the main rotor blades was noted. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. There were no known witnesses to the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 1996, at 1936 central daylight time, a Bell 206B III, N5015T, registered to and operated by Chem Air, Inc., collided with an unmarked power line near Barton, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The helicopter was destroyed and the airline-transport rated pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The time of departure has not been determined. According to the operator of the helicopter, the purpose of the flight was defoliation of vegetation near the power lines. The loader of the chemical indicated that when the flight was due to return to refuel, he observed smoke near where the helicopter was spraying. He then called 911 and reported the crash. Examination of the crash site by an FAA inspector revealed a downed .990 inch diameter unmarked 161 KV transmission line that had been located about 97 feet above ground level. The helicopter was observed on its right side nearly inverted about 200 feet from the nearest power line tower and the downed cable was observed on the wreckage. Fire damage to grass was noted near where the downed cable contacted the ground. The tailboom which was attached to the airframe was displaced downward about 90-degrees from normal orientation and evidence of main rotor blade contact with the cockpit was noted. The helicopter was equipped with a GPS to be used to delineate spray locations. Examination of the airframe by a representative of the manufacturer revealed no evidence or preimpact failure or malfunction of the flight controls. The main rotor hub and blade assembly was separated at the mast. Examination of the fracture surface revealed evidence of overload failure. Examination of 1 of the main rotor blades revealed evidence of striations on the leading edge of the blade inboard of midspan. Both blades were damaged and evidence of electrical arching was noted on the trailing edge portion of 1 of the blade grips. A report is an attachment to this report. Examination of the engine by a representative of the manufacturer revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. A report is an attachment to this report. A postmortem examination was performed by Steven T. Hayne, M.D., F.C.A.P., the Rankin County Designated Pathologist. The cause of death was listed as helicopter crash. Toxicological analysis of specimens of the pilot was performed by the FAA Accident and Research Laboratory. The results were negative for carbonmonoxide, cyanide, tested drugs, and ethanol. On the day and location of the accident the sunset was calculated to occur at 1954 hours. There were no known witnesses to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5015T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5015T-1998-04-14), registration cancelled 1998-04-14, S/N 2612 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B III - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2612 - Airframe hours: 9327 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Chem Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 16, 1996, 45 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,272 total, 2,925 in this make and model, 7,348 as pilot in command, 171 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MSL, 79 nm away 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.