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NTSB Report
May 6, 1990 · Bell UH-1B · N8142W
Ulysses, KS
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Ulysses, KS
Aircraft
Bell UH-1B
Tail Number
N8142W
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC90DCQ02
THE HELICOPTER WAS REFUELED & LOADED WITH A SPRAY MIX, THEN THE PLT PROCEEDED TO A FIELD & BEGAN AERIAL APPLICATION. AFTER THE 2ND SWATH RUN, HE MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER UP & OVER 'BIG' POWER LINES ON THE EAST END OF THE FIELD. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE OWNER ESTIMATED THE HELICOPTER HAD ABOUT 1983 LBS OF SPRAY & 900 LBS OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN IT CRASHED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ROTOR RPM, WHILE MANEUVERING OVER A HIGH OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE) AT THE END OF A SWATH RUN, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT DESCENT & COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE HIGH OBSTRUCTION WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A RELATED FACTOR.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS REFUELED & LOADED WITH A SPRAY MIX, THEN THE PLT PROCEEDED TO A FIELD & BEGAN AERIAL APPLICATION. AFTER THE 2ND SWATH RUN, HE MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER UP & OVER 'BIG' POWER LINES ON THE EAST END OF THE FIELD. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE OWNER ESTIMATED THE HELICOPTER HAD ABOUT 1983 LBS OF SPRAY & 900 LBS OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN IT CRASHED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell UH-1B
Tail NumberN8142W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · T53-L-11D · Turboshaft · 1100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 16 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC