# NTSB SEA94LA109: Bell 206B, N35BL, Summerville, OR, April 25, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1994, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Summerville, OR
- Coordinates: 45.519741, -118.019538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5197&lon=-118.0195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41916/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE WIRES. THE OVERCAST SKY CONDIITON WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF WITH A LOAD OF CHEMICAL, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK POWER LINES. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WHICH COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN JUST BEYOND THE WIRES. THE PILOT STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE OVERCAST SKY, HE DID NOT SEE THE WIRES.

## Factual narrative

On April 25, 1994, at 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B, N35BL, collided with transmission wires shortly after takeoff and en route to a field for an aerial application flight near Summerville, Oregon.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter was destroyed and the commercial pilot received minor injuries.

The pilot reported during a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, that he had just taken off from the loading truck with a load of Pencapp chemical to spray on the nearby field.  The helicopter was approximately 100 yards away from the truck and 20 feet above ground level when the helicopter struck the bottom two of three transmission wires.  The pilot was unable to maintain control and the helicopter collided with the ground 100 yards beyond the wires.  The pilot reported that he was aware of the wires in the area, but because of the overcast sky, he was unable to see the wires because of the grey background.

The chemical on board did spill from the tanks and was confined to a small area.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35BL-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 2279, built 1977 (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-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2279
- Airframe hours: 3869
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Rambling Rotors, doing business as Antelope Avionics
- Registered owner: Knight Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1994, 35 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 11,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 10,800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19940425009319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940425009319A), Apr 25, 1994: Bell 206B, Summerville, OR, Destroyed. Struck wires on climbout from loading truck. Aware wires in area. Failed to see same due grey overcast.

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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