# NTSB NYC90LA189: Bell 206, N49651, Athens, OH, August 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1990, 09:12 local (13:12 UTC)
- Place: Athens, OH
- Coordinates: 39.319606, -82.090476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3196&lon=-82.0905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36712
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36712/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA189

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO VISUALLY ACQUIRE AND MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE POWERLINE(S). CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT REDUCED VISIBILITY TO LESS THAN 1 MILE.  HE STATED THAT BECAUSE OF HIS REDUCED GROUND CLEARANCE AND VISIBILITY, HE DECIDED TO TURN AROUND AND GO BACK TO BETTER WEATHER CONDITIONS.  MOMENTS AFTER HE MADE THE DECISION, THE SKID OF THE HELICOPTER HIT A WIRE.  THE HELICOPTER TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE WIRE(S).  THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION.  THE HELICOPTER MADE APPROXIMATELY TWO AND THREE QUARTER TURNS BEFORE CONTACTING THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49651](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49651), registered now, S/N 1804, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1804
- Airframe hours: 5812
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Helicopter Elite Service,Inc.
- Registered owner: Helicopter Flight Sev. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 21, 1990, 21 hours before
- Departed: PICKERINGTON, OH
- Destination: CRW, CHARLESTON, WV
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,900 total, 2,215 in this make and model, 5,600 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900807031539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900807031539A), Aug 7, 1990: Bell 206B, Athens, OH, Substantial damage. Lowering ceiling en route. Turned back but struck unseen powerline and crashed out of control.

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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