# NTSB NYC07CA084: Bell 206B, N828BA, Lewes, DE, March 23, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 23, 2007, 15:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Lewes, DE
- Coordinates: 38.766666, -75.133331
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7667&lon=-75.1333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA084

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an in flight collision with utility wires during takeoff, and a subsequent impact with terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - wire,static
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot of a Bell 206B helicopter was picking up three passengers at a housing construction site, and taking them to an airport.  After the third passenger boarded, the pilot hovered the helicopter, and initiated a takeoff to the southwest over an approximate 300-foot grass area.  About 50 feet agl, as the helicopter reached effective translational lift, the pilot lowered the collective and immediately saw a wire stretch across the windscreen and ride upward.  The helicopter subsequently impacted the field, rolled left, and came to rest on its left side.  During the impact, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.  Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a Bell 206B helicopter stated that she was conducting a charter flight.  She was picking up three passengers at a housing construction site, and taking them to an airport.  After the third passenger boarded, the pilot hovered the helicopter, and initiated a takeoff to the southwest over an approximate 300-foot grass area.  About 50 feet agl, as the helicopter reached effective translational lift, the pilot lowered the collective and immediately saw a wire stretch across the windscreen and ride upward.  The helicopter subsequently impacted the field, rolled left, and came to rest on its left side.  During the impact, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.  Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N828BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N828BA-2010-04-21), registration cancelled 2010-04-21, S/N 3426, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3426
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 250 turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Helo Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, Lewes, DE
- Destination: HEF, Manassas, VA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; last flight review February 1, 2007; flight hours: 1,085 total, 258 in this make and model, 649 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: GED, 10 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 20070323016729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070323016729A), Mar 23, 2007: Bell 206B, Lewes, DE, Substantial damage. (-23) Helicopter, with 3 passengers on board, struck utility power wire upon takeoff from road at housing development construction site. The helicopter hit the…

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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