# NTSB WPR21LA130: Bell 206B, N161BH, Laton, CA, March 13, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 13, 2021, 13:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Laton, CA
- Coordinates: 36.432943, -119.68823 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4329&lon=-119.6882&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: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA130

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines 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 · Effect on equipment; 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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while conducting an aerial application on a field, he overflew one set of powerlines, however, struck the second set of powerlines shortly after. Subsequently, the helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on its left side substantially damaging the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N161BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N161BH-2022-10-18), registration cancelled 2022-10-18, S/N 1675, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20) (registry code 03080, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1675
- Year built: 1975
- Airframe hours: 20055.3
- Engines: Rolls Royce 250C20B 400 hp turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Trinkle Ag Flying
- Registered owner: Trinkle Ag Flying
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 2021, 76.8 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 10, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.24 inHg
- Observed at: KHJO, 7 nm away
- METAR: KHJO 132153Z AUTO 30010KT 10SM CLR 19/04 A3024 RMK AO2 SLP241 T01890044

## 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 20210313000219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210313000219A), Mar 13, 2021: Bell 206B, Layton, CA, Destroyed. During normal [privacy data omitted] conducted at or below 30 ft. AGL, which was necessary to mitigate product drift, while on the last edge cleanup pass along…

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.

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