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NTSB Report
April 12, 1989 · Bell 206B · N157P
Airville, PA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 12, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Airville, PA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N157P
Operator
Commonwealth of Pa
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89GA116
THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING OPERATED BY THE PA STATE POLICE OVER THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER SEARCHING FOR A POSSIBLE VICTIM REPORTED TO HAVE JUMPED INTO THE RIVER. IT WAS TRAVELLING IN A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION WHEN IT HIT UNMARKED POWER LINES STRETCHED EAST AND WEST ACROSS, AND ABOUT 160 FT ABOVE, THE RIVER. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN ABOUT 10 FEET OF WATER. THE POWER LINES WERE SUPPORTED BY 60-FOOT WOODEN POLES SET BACK INTO THE WOOD LINE, AND WERE NOT SHOWN ON ANY OF THE AREA CHARTS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SEE AND AVOID THE UNMARKED POWER LINES STRETCHED ACROSS THE RIVER. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF VISUAL CLUES.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING OPERATED BY THE PA STATE POLICE OVER THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER SEARCHING FOR A POSSIBLE VICTIM REPORTED TO HAVE JUMPED INTO THE RIVER. IT WAS TRAVELLING IN A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION WHEN IT HIT UNMARKED POWER LINES STRETCHED EAST AND WEST ACROSS, AND ABOUT 160 FT ABOVE, THE RIVER. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN ABOUT 10 FEET OF WATER. THE POWER LINES WERE SUPPORTED BY 60-FOOT WOODEN POLES SET BACK INTO THE WOOD LINE, AND WERE NOT SHOWN ON ANY OF THE AREA CHARTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:44 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN157P
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCommonwealth of Pa
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-L20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 8 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT