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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 25, 1994 · Bell 206B · N35BL

Summerville, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Summerville, OR
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N35BL
Operator
Rambling Rotors
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA94LA109

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF WITH A LOAD OF CHEMICAL, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK POWER LINES. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WHICH COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN JUST BEYOND THE WIRES. THE PILOT STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE OVERCAST SKY, HE DID NOT SEE THE WIRES.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE WIRES. THE OVERCAST SKY CONDIITON WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On April 25, 1994, at 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B, N35BL, collided with transmission wires shortly after takeoff and en route to a field for an aerial application flight near Summerville, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was destroyed and the commercial pilot received minor injuries. The pilot reported during a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, that he had just taken off from the loading truck with a load of Pencapp chemical to spray on the nearby field. The helicopter was approximately 100 yards away from the truck and 20 feet above ground level when the helicopter struck the bottom two of three transmission wires. The pilot was unable to maintain control and the helicopter collided with the ground 100 yards beyond the wires. The pilot reported that he was aware of the wires in the area, but because of the overcast sky, he was unable to see the wires because of the grey background. The chemical on board did spill from the tanks and was confined to a small area.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN35BL
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRambling Rotors
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data