# NTSB NYC99GA234: Bell 206L-1, N17SP, Randolph, NY, September 22, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1999, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Randolph, NY
- Coordinates: 42.160511, -78.969848 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1605&lon=-78.9698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99GA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47526/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99GA234

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain visual separation from the wires.  A factor was sunglare.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission(marked)
  - visual separation - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot was conducting a drug eradication mission.  He was flying in a valley, toward the sun, approximately 200 feet above ground level, when the helicopter struck utility wires.  The towers, which supported the wires, were below the tree line.  The wires were depicted on the current Detroit Sectional Aeronautical Chart.

## Factual narrative

On September 22, 1999, about 1450 Eastern Daylight Time, a Bell 206L-1, N17SP, owned and operated by the New York State Police, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Randolph, New York.  The certificated commercial pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Chautauqua County/Jamestown Airport, Jamestown, New York; destined for Troop A Headquarters Heliport, Batavia, New York.  No flight plan was filed for the public use flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the Chief Pilot of the New York State Police, the pilot was conducting a drug erratication mission.  The pilot was flying in a valley, approximately 200 feet above-ground-level, when the helicopter struck utility wires.

The pilot stated that he was flying into the sun, and did not see the utility wires.  He added that before the accident, pilots were not required to wear helmets during their missions.  After the accident, all pilots at the Troop A Headquarters were required to wear helmets.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the main rotor blades and the tailboom separated.  The helicopter subsequently impacted terrain, and the fuselage sustained impact damage.  The Inspector further stated that the towers, which supported the wires, were below the tree line.  The wires were depicted on the current Detroit Sectional Aeronautical Chart.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17SP-2000-06-26), registration cancelled 2000-06-26, S/N 45351 (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: 45351
- Airframe hours: 6142
- Engines: Allison 250-C28B 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: New York State Police
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 1999, 40 hours before
- Departed: JHW, JAMESTOWN, NY
- Destination: 22NY, BATAVIA, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,900 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JHW, 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 19990922041079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990922041079A), Sep 22, 1999: Bell 206L1, Randolph, NY, No damage. (-23) On 9/23/99 helicopter N17SP (bht 206 L1) piloted by scott norcutt made contact with a high tension power line approximately 200 feet above the ground…

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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