Bell 206B III accident near Barton, AL
On August 4, 1996, a Bell 206B III (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Barton, AL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 4, 1996
- Place
- Barton, AL
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B III · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.751°N, 87.959°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06572
NTSB summary
On August 3, 1996, at 1936 central daylight time, a Bell 206B III, N5015T, registered to and operated by Chem Air, Inc., collided with an unmarked power line near Barton, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The helicopter was destroyed and the airline-transport rated pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The time of departure has not been determined. According to the operator of the helicopter, the purpose of the flight was defoliation of vegetation near the power lines. The loader of the chemical indicated that when the flight was due to return to refuel, he observed smoke near where the helicopter was spraying. He then called 911 and reported the crash. Examination of the crash site by an FAA inspector revealed a downed .990 inch diameter unmarked 161 KV transmission line that had been located about 97 feet above ground level. The helicopter was observed on its right side nearly inverted about 200 feet from the nearest power line tower and the downed cable was observed on the wreckage. Fire damage to grass was noted near where the downed cable contacted the ground. The tailboom which was attached to the airframe was displaced downward about 90-degrees from normal orientation and evidence of main rotor blade contact with the cockpit was noted. The helicopter was equipped with a GPS to be used to delineate spray locations. Examination of the airframe by a representative of the manufacturer revealed no evidence or preimpact failure or malfunction of the flight
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to see-and/or-avoid the obstruction (unmarked power line), while en route between the area that was being treated and the refueling location. The power line and lack of visual cues at dusk were related factors.
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Browse: Alabama · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
