# NTSB SEA96TA213: Bell 206B-3, N47MA, St Regis, MT, September 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: September 13, 1996, 13:56 local (19:56 UTC) - Place: St Regis, MT - Coordinates: 47.309177, -115.139633 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3092&lon=-115.1396&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 21, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42478 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96TA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42478/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96TA213 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from electrical transmission lines. The proximity of transmission lines was a related factor. ## 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 (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The helicopter sustained substantial damage when it struck wires during a fire suppression activity for the U.S. Forest Service. The pilot reported that his water bucket malfunctioned on his seventh load, while performing fire suppression, and he was unable to drop its water. On his way back to the helibase, he diverted from a direct return. He reported that he descended and circled with the intention of putting his bucket down on an abandoned railroad grade to tip it over and empty it. An eyewitness advised that the pilot appeared to be descending and circling to fill his bucket in a pond just across the railroad grade. About 80 feet above the pond, the helicopter struck a powerline with the main rotor blades, severing three conductors of a main distribution line. About 80 feet further west along the powerline, the main rotor blades severed the messenger wire in two places, about 12 feet apart. The helicopter remained controllable and the pilot continued a right turn, descending to a landing on the railroad grade. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 1996, approximately 1356 mountain daylight time, a Bell 206B3 helicopter, N47MA, registered to Minuteman Aviation of Conrad, Montana, and performing public-use aerial firefighting bucket operations under contract to the U.S. Forest Service, struck wires during an aerial reconnaissance of a pond approximately 1/2 mile south of St. Regis, Montana. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing on a road. The pilot was not injured but the helicopter was substantially damaged in the occurrence. Visual meteorological conditions were reported at Missoula, Montana, at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that his water bucket malfunctioned on his seventh load while performing fire suppression, and he was unable to drop its water. On his way back to the helibase, he diverted from a direct return. He reported that he descended and circled with the intention of putting his bucket down on an abandoned railroad grade to tip it over and empty it. An eyewitness advised that the pilot appeared to be descending and circling to fill his bucket in a pond just across the railroad grade. Just over the pond, the helicopter struck a powerline at a point about 80 feet above the pond with the main rotor blades, severing the three conductors of a main distribution line. About 80 feet further west along the powerline, the main rotor blades severed the messenger wire in two places about 12 feet apart. The helicopter remained controllable and the pilot continued a right turn, descending to a normal landing on the railroad grade. ## Aircraft - Registration: N47MA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B-3 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2647 - Airframe hours: 5835 - Engines: Allison 25O-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Operator: U.S. Forest Service - Registered owner: Minuteman Aviation, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 11, 1996, 70 hours before - Departed: ST. REGIS, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,150 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MSO ## 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 19960913028419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960913028419A), Sep 13, 1996: Bell 206B3, St Regis, MT, Substantial damage. Long line bucket fire fighting ops. Unable dump load. Descended to drop bucket to tip it over. Struck wires. Landed 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.