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NTSB Report
May 25, 1989 · Bell 206B · N49608
Camp Verde, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Camp Verde, AZ
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N49608
Operator
Heli Services
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89FA203
A BELL HELICOPTER 206B COLLIDED WITH UNMARKED POWER TRANSMISSION CABLES WHILE ON A VFR POSITIONING FLIGHT. THE PILOT HAD FLOWN SEVERAL SCENIC FLIGHTS EARLIER IN THE DAY AND WAS RETURNING TO THE OPERATOR'S FACILITY WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE HELICOPTER'S COURSE WAS ON A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION. THE WIRES WERE SUSPENDED ACROSS A TERRAIN FEATURE KNOWN AS A SADDLE. THE SPAN WAS ABOUT ONE MILE BETWEEN THE POLES THAT SUPPORTED THE CABLES. THE POLES WERE MASKED FROM VIEW WHEN APPROACHING FROM THE NORTH BY TERRAIN. THE CABLES WERE ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. THE ELEVATION OF THE CABLES WAS 4,140 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL. THE CABLES WERE DEPICTED ON THE SECTIONAL AERONAUTICAL CHART. THE MAXIMUM ELEVATION FIGURE FOR THE ACCIDENT QUADRANGLE ON THE SECTIONAL CHART WAS 7,200 FEET MSL.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS IN HIS FLIGHT PATH AND VISUALLY DETECT OBSTRUCTIONS IN ORDER TO AVERT A COLLISION.
Full Narrative
A BELL HELICOPTER 206B COLLIDED WITH UNMARKED POWER TRANSMISSION CABLES WHILE ON A VFR POSITIONING FLIGHT. THE PILOT HAD FLOWN SEVERAL SCENIC FLIGHTS EARLIER IN THE DAY AND WAS RETURNING TO THE OPERATOR'S FACILITY WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE HELICOPTER'S COURSE WAS ON A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION. THE WIRES WERE SUSPENDED ACROSS A TERRAIN FEATURE KNOWN AS A SADDLE. THE SPAN WAS ABOUT ONE MILE BETWEEN THE POLES THAT SUPPORTED THE CABLES. THE POLES WERE MASKED FROM VIEW WHEN APPROACHING FROM THE NORTH BY TERRAIN. THE CABLES WERE ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. THE ELEVATION OF THE CABLES WAS 4,140 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL. THE CABLES WERE DEPICTED ON THE SECTIONAL AERONAUTICAL CHART. THE MAXIMUM ELEVATION FIGURE FOR THE ACCIDENT QUADRANGLE ON THE SECTIONAL CHART WAS 7,200 FEET MSL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:29 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN49608
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHeli Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 15 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility65 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:51
Weather SourceWFAC