# NTSB WPR21LA338: Bell 206L-3, N6516K, Tillamook, OR, September 8, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 8, 2021, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Tillamook, OR - Coordinates: 45.36571, -123.64671 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3657&lon=-123.6467&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103825 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA338 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103825/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103825 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA338 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a powerline during a low reconnaissance, with sun glare. ## 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 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) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; 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) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/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 206L-3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 206L-3, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that he was on a low reconnaissance over a field in a canyon intended for agricultural application. During a climb out that was on a heading facing the sun, he lost sight of a previously identified powerline, and attempted to avoid it by referencing the two supporting powerline poles. As the helicopter flew closer, he located the wires and believed that the helicopter’s trajectory would clear the obstacle; however, the helicopter struck the powerline, the pilot lost control, and the helicopter descended and impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6516K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6516K-2023-05-13), registration cancelled 2023-05-13, S/N 51391, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3 - 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: 51391 - Year built: 1990 - Airframe hours: 18581.5 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC - Registered owner: Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 30, 2021 - Departed: Tillamook, OR - Destination: Tillamook, OR - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 4, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,349 total, 1,088 in this make and model, 3,261 as pilot in command, 215 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KTMK, 8 nm away - METAR: METAR KTMK 081735Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 20/13 A3005 RMK AO2= ## 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 20210908013049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210908013049A), Sep 8, 2021: Bell 206L-3, Tillamook, OR, Substantial damage. The pilot had just completed aerial recon of a new aerial application zone in steep, heavily wooded terrain and was climbing out of a small valley to meet the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103825. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12706962&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Not%20Signed4264_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12707331&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20for%20WPR21LA338-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.