# NTSB WPR20LA163: Bell 206, N65PJ, Fairfield, CA, June 2, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 2, 2020, 12:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Fairfield, CA - Coordinates: 38.309722, -122.03388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3097&lon=-122.0339&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Pacific Gas and Electric, Rolls Royce, PJ Helicopters, Inc., Wilson Construction, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 101367 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20LA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101367/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101367 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA163 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while conducting external load operations, which resulted in the main rotor contacting a wire and a subsequent collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1182108), [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: [Bell 206L-3, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1182108), [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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter was retrieving two linemen after they completed powerline work and transporting them back to the landing zone via longline. A witness stated that, after picking up the linemen, the helicopter ascended into the powerlines, impacting, and severing one line located about 210 ft above ground level. The helicopter subsequently impacted terrain, rolled downhill, and came to rest in a ravine. Examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The main rotor blades displayed evidence of blade contact, and the engine compressor impeller contained debris consistent with the engine operating at the time of ground impact. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines, which resulted in the main rotor impacting a wire and subsequent impact with terrain. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 2020, about 1250 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206L3 Helicopter, N65PJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fairfield, California. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 133 rotorcraft external load operation. The helicopter was operated by PJ Helicopters under contract from Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to perform power line repair work. A fuel truck driver associated with the operation stated that he arrived at the landing zone about 0900 on the morning of the accident, where the accident pilot and helicopter were waiting. Flight operations began between 1100 and 1130. According to the operator around 1250, the two linemen had completed work for the day, and the pilot proceeded to their location to pick them up via longline from the tower on which they had been working. At that time, for unknown reasons, the linemen were lowered to the ground and disconnected from the long line. The helicopter circled for several minutes before it was called back, and the linemen reattached to the longline. A witness stated that he saw the accident helicopter ascend toward the lower line of a set of powerlines. The main rotor contacted the line, followed by the helicopter impacting terrain, where it rolled downhill, and came to rest in a ravine. According to PG&E, the impacted power line was about 200 ft above ground level (agl), located about mid span between two towers at the bottom of a valley. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for rotorcraft-helicopter and instrument helicopter. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration second-class medical certificate was issued on December 23, 2019, at which time he reported 3,099 total hours of flight experience, with 422 hours in the previous six months. The helicopter was recovered from the site for examination. Flight control continuity was established from the single cockpit control to the control surfaces through breaks in the system consistent with impact damage. Continuity was confirmed from the main rotor drive shaft to the main rotor. The freewheeling unit operated normally. The transmission-to-engine main drive shaft remained attached at the transmission via the Kaflex. The aft Kaflex was fractured. One main rotor blade (white blade) was fractured about 73 inches from the blade grip. The trailing edge of the blade was split down its length starting about 13 inches from the grip. The tip of the rotor blade was separated from the blade and displayed evidence of a wire strike. The white pitch change link was fractured about 6 inches from the lower end of the tube. The other main rotor blade (red blade) was fractured about 36 inches from the grip. The outer skin separated from the carbon layup of the top surface of the blade. The interior core separated from the lower surface of the blade. The trailing edge of the blade was split down its length ina few locations with the interior core missing. The red pitch change link was fractured at the lower end connection. Examination of the transmission, pylon, and hydraulics system revealed no anomalies. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. The compressor impeller was undamaged and displayed evidence of dirt ingestion consistent with operation at the time of impact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65PJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65PJ-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 51127, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206 (L3) - Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 51127 - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 16960.7 - Engines: Rolls-Royce M250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: External load, Part 133 - Operator: P J Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: P J Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Fairfield, CA - Destination: Fairfield, CA - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: fatal; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,099 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KVCB, 5 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 20200602009229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200602009229A), Jun 2, 2020: Bell 206L-3, Fairfield, CA, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. On June 2, 2020, about 1330 pacific daylight time, a Bell 206-L3, N65PJ, was substantially damaged during a human external cargo (hec) operation, in support of… ## Docket (17 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101367. 1.0 GB in all. - Electronic device - specialist's factual report (item 1, PDF, 3 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13439927&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR20LA163%20Electronic%20Device%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf - Attachment 1 to electronic device - specialist's factual report (item 2, CSV, 3 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13439137&FileExtension=csv&FileName=WPR20LA163%20Attachment%201%20to%20Electronic%20Device%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.csv - Toxicological report (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14250514&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox%202020_086_001_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14250524&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Memorandum%20FAA_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 5, PDF, 9 pages, 8.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14250408&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR20LA163%20Party%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Party form rolls royce (item 6, PDF, 14 pages, 922 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15197941&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Form%20Rolls%20Royce_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Other pertinent forms and reports radar data (item 7, CSV, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14250633&FileExtension=csv&FileName=1017IG4138E_2022-03-08-Rel.csv - ADS-B track (item 8, KMZ, 9 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14754484&FileExtension=kmz&FileName=20200602_A88BAF_427394560-Rel.kmz - Other pertinent forms and reports (item 9, XLSX, 348 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14753911&FileExtension=xlsx&FileName=20200602_A88BAF_427394560_ADSB-Rel.xlsx - Drone footage overview of accident site (pge) (item 10, MP4, 992 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14754156&FileExtension=MP4&FileName=drone%20overview%20of%20accident%20site%20(PGE)-Rel.MP4 - Reports from federal agencies NTSB (item 11, PDF, 13 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14754496&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Exam%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Wire strike - pge (item 12, PDF, 3 pages, 231 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14754607&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Initial%20Wire%20Strike%20Analysis_WPR20LA163_6-22-20-Rel.pdf - Memo for record - autopsy (item 13, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14753599&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20Autopsy-Rel.pdf - Report from wilson construction (item 14, PDF, 3 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14753939&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wilson%202020%20Helo%20Fatality%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Bell report (item 15, PDF, 2 pages, 278 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14753949&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WreckageExamNotes_Bell-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 16, PDF, 1 page, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14777204&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Rolls-royce report (item 17, PDF, 3 pages, 622 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14778230&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Field%20Notes%20N65PJ_Redacted-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.