# NTSB NYC89GA116: Bell 206B, N157P, Airville, PA, April 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1989, 09:44 local (13:44 UTC)
- Place: Airville, PA
- Coordinates: 39.819942, -76.390457 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8199&lon=-76.3905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36301
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89GA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36301/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89GA116

## Probable cause

THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SEE AND AVOID THE UNMARKED POWER LINES STRETCHED ACROSS THE RIVER. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF VISUAL CLUES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - information insufficient (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING OPERATED BY THE PA STATE POLICE OVER THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER SEARCHING FOR A POSSIBLE VICTIM REPORTED TO HAVE JUMPED INTO THE RIVER. IT WAS TRAVELLING IN A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION WHEN IT HIT UNMARKED POWER LINES STRETCHED EAST AND WEST ACROSS, AND ABOUT 160 FT ABOVE, THE RIVER. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN ABOUT 10 FEET OF WATER. THE POWER LINES WERE SUPPORTED BY 60-FOOT WOODEN POLES SET BACK INTO THE WOOD LINE, AND WERE NOT SHOWN ON ANY OF THE AREA CHARTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N157P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N157P-1989-06-28), registration cancelled 1989-06-28, S/N 2771 (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: 2771
- Airframe hours: 4271
- Engines: ALLISON 250-L20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: Commonwealth Of Pa., doing business as Pa State Police
- Registered owner: Commenwealth Of Pennsylvania
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 11, 1989, 2 hours before
- Departed: N/A, LANCASTER, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, military; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,283 total, 719 in this make and model, 3,283 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LNS, 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 19890412007809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890412007809A), Apr 12, 1989: Bell 206B, Airville, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into a powerline on a police patrol while looking for suicide victim in a river. Wires and poles not visible.

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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