# NTSB WPR20CA171: Enstrom 480, N130JS, Murphy, ID, June 4, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2020, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Murphy, ID - Coordinates: 43.238887, -116.763336 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2389&lon=-116.7633&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Boise FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101403 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101403/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101403 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA171 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 480, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=3300560), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 480, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3300560), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 480, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3300560), [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: [Enstrom Helicopter 480, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3300560), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the aerial application flight, while maneuvering at low altitude, he came upon some trees and increased altitude to climbed above the treetops. He did not see that there were power lines behind the trees and did not have enough time to avoid colliding with two of the lines. The pilot was unable to maintain control of the helicopter descended in a slow spin to ground impact. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N130JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N130JS-2022-07-08), registration cancelled 2022-07-08, S/N 5029, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Enstrom 480 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Enstrom Helicopter 480](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-480) (registry code 3300560) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20W](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20w) (registry code 54189, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 5029 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 3440.5 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C20W 305 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2020 - Departed: Renolds Creek, ID - Destination: Jordan Valley, OR - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 17,021 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 16,919 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: BOI, 35 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 20200604022119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200604022119A), Jun 4, 2020: Enstrom Helicopter Corp 480, Murphy, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot said he dropped down, was spot spraying white top, as he was going down a draw/meadow grassy area, shut off, ascended 100 to 125 ft, to proceed down the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101403. 8.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10072124&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_171_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9843189&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR20CA171%20Photos-Rel.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.