# NTSB NYC99LA147: Bell 206B-III, N94WF, Tinicum, PA, June 17, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1999, 10:12 local (14:12 UTC)
- Place: Tinicum, PA
- Coordinates: 40.430774, -75.10057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4308&lon=-75.1006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA147

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude above the water.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was performing aerial application over the Delaware River.  He stated that his attention was momentarily diverted, as he was looking at a flow gauge inside the cockpit.  The pilot further stated that he flew too low, causing the skids to contact the water.  The main rotor blades subsequently struck the water, and the helicopter came to rest in the river.

## Factual narrative

On June 17, 1999, about 1012 Eastern Daylight Time, a Bell 206B-III, N94WF, was substantially damaged during a collision with water at Tinicum, Pennsylvania.  The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that originated from Erwinna, Pennsylvania.  No flight plan was filed for the aerial application flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 137.

According to the pilot, he departed from "Landing Zone 5," an open field adjacent to the Delaware River.  He intended to perform aerial application for 20 minutes, and return to the landing zone.  He stated that while spraying for blackfly over the Delaware River, his attention was momentarily diverted, as he was looking at a flow gauge inside the cockpit.  The pilot further stated that he flew too low, causing the skids to contact the water.  The main rotor blades subsequently struck the water, and the helicopter came to rest on its side, in approximately 3 feet of water, about 2 to 3 miles from the landing zone.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94WF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94WF-2011-05-14), registration cancelled 2011-05-14, S/N 2622, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206B-III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B-III](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b-iii) (registry code 1181506) (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: 2622
- Airframe hours: 11388
- Engines: Allison 250 C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Helicopter Applicators Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 17, 1999, 37 hours before
- Departed: NONE, ERWINNA, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 10,000 total, 10,000 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABE, 20 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 19990617007179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990617007179A), Jun 17, 1999: Bell 206B3, Erwinna, PA, Substantial damage. 1979 Bell 206B-III helicopter was involved in aerial application over the Delaware river and was flying low over the river when the skids contacted the water,…

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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