# NTSB MKC89LA041: Bell 206L-1, N5012J, Linwood, KS, December 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1988, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Linwood, KS
- Coordinates: 38.999298, -95.029396 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9993&lon=-95.0294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA041

## Probable cause

POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION, INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, AND CLEARANCE NOT ATTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER COMPLETING AN EMS MISSION, WHILE ENROUTE BACK TO THE HOME BASE, HE THOUGHT HE SAW SMOKE ON THE GROUND, AND DECIDED TO MAKE A CLOSER, VISUAL CHECK. CRUISING INITIALLY AT 1000 AGL, HE BEGAN A CRUISE DESCENT TO BETTER INSPECT THE SMOKE. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK POWER LINES ABOUT 60 FEET AGL. AN EMERGENCY AUTOROTATION WAS ATTEMPTED AND A HARD LANDING WAS MADE IN A SHALLOW RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5012J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5012J-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N 45210 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45210
- Airframe hours: 4382
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: St Louis Helicopter Arwys Inc, doing business as Life-Star  (Ems)
- Registered owner: St. Louis Heli. Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 13, 1988, 7 hours before
- Departed: MERRIAM, KS
- Destination: FOE, TOPEKA, KS
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,222 total, 342 in this make and model, 7,568 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOP, 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 19881218054619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881218054619A), Dec 18, 1988: Bell 206L1, Linwood, KS, Substantial damage. Descended low over a river to check smoke on ground. Struck a powerline and crashed into two feet of water in river

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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