# NTSB WPR13IA059: Bell 407, N7160V, Riverton, WY, November 15, 2012 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: November 15, 2012, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Riverton, WY - Coordinates: 42.825279, -107.590553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8253&lon=-107.5906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-change of cruise level: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85686 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13IA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85686/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85686 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13IA059 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear power lines while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow company operating specifications for minimum altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 407, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 407, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 407, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-change of cruise level: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 407, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 407, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter crewmembers were returning to their home base after transporting a patient. The pilot was flying the helicopter at en route altitudes of around 80-100 feet above ground level and struck power lines; he was not following company operating specifications of a minimum altitude of at least 300 feet. The pilot reported that he did not observe the wires until after the initial impact and was able to land the helicopter off airport without incident. ## Factual narrative On November 15, 2012, about 0700 mountain standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N7160V, sustained minor damage when it struck high tension power lines during cruise flight near Riverton, Wyoming. The helicopter was registered to Classic Medical Inc., and operated by Classic Helicopter Group, LLC, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The airline transport pilot and two medical crew members were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight originated from the Wyoming Medical Center Heliport (WY57) Casper, Wyoming at 0633 with a planned destination of Riverton Regional Airport (RIW) Riverton, Wyoming. The helicopter medical crew members reported that they were returning to their home base after transporting a patient. One medical crew member reported that the ambient lighting conditions were good and no night vision goggles were in use. The pilot reported that he did not observe the wires until after the initial impact and was able to land the helicopter off airport, without incident. The medical crew member seated in the front left seat observed the wires but did not have sufficient time to warn the pilot prior to impact. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the main rotor blades, tail rotor and swashplate sustained minor damage. The company investigation revealed that the pilot was flying the helicopter at en route altitudes of around 80-100 feet above ground level. The company Operations Specifications (OPSEC) require an altitude of a least 300 feet above terrain and obstacles during day operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7160V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7160V), registered now, S/N 53013, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 407 - Registry model: [Bell 407](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-407) (registry code 1182206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C47B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c47b) (registry code 54585, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 53013 - Airframe hours: 5172 - Engines: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C47B 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Classic Helicopter Group, LLC., doing business as Classic Lifeguard - Registered owner: Classic Medical Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 5, 2012 - Departed: WY57, Casper, WY - Destination: KRIW, Riverton, WY - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: RIW, Riverton Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 31, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 3,750 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: KRIW, 40 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). - [Incident 20121115026119I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121115026119I), Nov 15, 2012: Bell 407, East Of Rivert, WY, Minor damage. On 11/15/12 at approx 0715 LCL, N7160V, a Bell 407, sustained minor damage after contacting electric power wires 30 miles ese of riverton, Wyoming. Three soles… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85686. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399176&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399172&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Nurse Crewmember Statement (item 3, .PDF, 408 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Nurse%20Crewmember%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Medical Technician Crewmember Statement (item 4, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399175&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Medical%20Technician%20Crewmember%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Email (item 5, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399242&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email-Master.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.