# NTSB NYC85FGM04: Bell 206B, N9901K, New Baltimore, PA, May 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1985, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: New Baltimore, PA
- Location: 39.9835° N, 78.7723° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Baltimore, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9835&lon=-78.7723&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FGM04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35595/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FGM04

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE DURING AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS. THERE WAS NO MALFUNCTION OF EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED INTO TREES & WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT SAID THAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR A CUT OFF MARKER IN THE FORM OF A BALLOON WHEN HE LOOKED UP AND SAW THE WIRES. IT WAS TOO LATE TO AVOID THE COLLISION BUT HE TRIED TO DECELERATE PRIOR TO THE IMPACT. AFTER STRIKING THE WIRES THE ACFT DESCENDED AND LODGED IN TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9901K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9901K-1989-03-17), registration cancelled 1989-03-17, S/N 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1944
- Engines: ALLISON C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Richard E. Myers, doing business as Rem Helicopter, Inc.
- Registered owner: Leffler Transportation Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1984, 70 hours before
- Departed: NEW BALTIMORE, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,741 total, 478 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AOO, 35 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 19850522022919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850522022919A), May 22, 1985: Bell 206B, New Baltimore, PA, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines then trees during spraying run. Attention diverted looking for marking balloons.

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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