# NTSB SEA04LA102: Bell 206B, N213SD, Prosser, WA, June 9, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 2004, 18:50 local (Jun 9, 2004, 01:50 UTC) - Place: Prosser, WA - Coordinates: 46.179443, -119.800552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1794&lon=-119.8006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59408 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59408/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA102 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines while maneuvering. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During a right turn the helicopter's tail rotor became entangled in a power line. Pulling collective in an attempt to land on a road, the helicopter swung to the right and the main rotor struck another power line. As the pilot banked away from the second power line he seemed to gain some control of the aircraft before it impacted the ground. The helicopter came to rest in an upright position on its skids. No pre-accident anomalies with the helicopter were noted which would have precluded normal operations. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 2004, at 1850 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N213SD, was substantially damaged after impacting power lines while maneuvering near Prosser, Washington. The commercial pilot and his sole passenger were not injured. The helicopter, registered to Heliworks Inc., of Pensacola, Florida, was being operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was not filed. The helicopter had departed the Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco, Washington, at approximately 1800 In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), and according to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that while conducting cherry drying operations he made a right turn and caught the tail rotor in a power line. The pilot further reported, "...about 30 seconds later a vibration occurred. I pulled collective to attempt a landing on a road, [and] as I pulled collective the ship immediately swung to the right and the main rotor struck a power line." The pilot stated that he then banked away from the power line and "seemed" to gain some control. "I saw an opening in the orchard and headed for [it]. The ship came to rest upright between the trees." The pilot reported damage to the helicopter included the transmission being separated from the airframe and the tail rotor and tail rotor assembly being damaged. The pilot also reported to the IIC that no anomalies existed with the helicopter prior to the accident which would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N213SD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N213SD-2017-04-07), registration cancelled 2017-04-07, S/N 3109, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3109 - Airframe hours: 17000 - Engines: Allison 250/C20 250 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Heliworks Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 2004, 60 hours before - Departed: PSC, Pasco, WA - Destination: Prosser, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 31, 2003; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,350 total, 236 in this make and model, 6,140 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: PSC, 27 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 20040608011019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040608011019A), Jun 8, 2004: Bell 206B, Prosser, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. Leloup was conducting a cherry drying operation under part 91 at the munson cherry farm. He turned at the end of a run and caught the Bell 206B'S… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.