# NTSB WPR12CA183: Bell 206B, N969W, Arvin, CA, April 25, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 24, 2012, 18:00 local (Apr 25, 2012, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Arvin, CA - Coordinates: 35.040554, -118.809722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0406&lon=-118.8097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83474 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83474/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83474 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA183 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain clearance from power lines during low altitude maneuvering. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to performing the aerial application flight, the pilot surveyed the field and observed a set of power lines along the eastern border. While completing the final pass toward the east, the helicopter struck the power lines. The pilot reported that he did not see the lines silhouetted against the grey sky until just before the collision and that he performed an evasive maneuver in an attempt to descend below the lines. The helicopter struck the ground after the collision, nosed over, and rolled onto its right side, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system. This was the pilot's second revenue flight, having recently been hired as an apprentice. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative Prior to performing the aerial application flight, the pilot of the helicopter surveyed the field, and observed a set of power lines along the eastern border. He completed the application uneventfully, and while completing the final pass towards the east, the helicopter struck the power lines. He reported that he did not see the lines silhouetted against the grey sky until just prior to the collision, and that he performed an evasive maneuver in an attempt to descend below the lines. The helicopter struck the ground after the collision, nosed over, and rolled onto its right side, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system. This was the pilot's second revenue flight, having recently been hired as an apprentice. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N969W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N969W-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 2320, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (registry code 54385, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2320 - Airframe hours: 11056 - Engines: Rolls Royce/ Allison 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: San Joaquin Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: San Joaquin Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 21, 2012, 53 hours before - Departed: 5CL8, Arvin, CA - Destination: Arvin, CA - Airport: DLO, Delano ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 8, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 963 total, 85 in this make and model, 865 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KBF:, 30 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 20120424006079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120424006079A), Apr 24, 2012: Bell 206B, Arvin, CA, Substantial damage. On 04-24-2012 N696W a Bell 206 helicopter was involved in a non injury accident. The helicopters was being operated under 14 cfr-part 137 and was conducting… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 15, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83474. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 829 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367632&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Helicopter at Accident Site (item 2, .PDF, 272 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367633&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Helicopter%20at%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Pilot and Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 738 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF 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.