Bell 206B accident near Shepherd, MT
On April 27, 2013, a Bell 206B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Shepherd, MT. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 27, 2013
- Place
- Shepherd, MT
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 46.089°N, 108.246°W
- NTSB ID
- 20130427X30522
Official records · WPR13FA208
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn April 27, 2013, about 0830 mountain daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N150SP, impacted power lines and terrain while maneuvering north of Shepherd, Montana. The helicopter was registered to Tongue Canyon Aviation, LLC, Worden, Montana, and operated by the pilot under provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was fatally injured. The helicopter received substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor system. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from the helicopter's home base in Worden, Montana at about 0730 to help with the herding of cattle on a field north of Shepherd. A witness, who was a ranch hand, stated that the helicopter was maneuvering about 100-200 feet above the ground. The witness reported that the helicopter was north bound and flying in the direction of high tension power transmission lines. Shortly after losing sight of the helicopter, he heard two "whoosh" sounds, and about 5 seconds later, he heard a "boom" sound. He then saw black smoke in the direction of the sounds. According to local law enforcement personnel, the helicopter impacted two single phase overhead power lines near the accident site. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe pilot, age 81, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument airplane rating. He also held a private pilot certificate for rotorcraft. The pilot had been involved in a prior accident on March 5, 2007, (NTSB ID No. SEA07CA06
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering during low-altitude operations due to sudden neurological impairment or incapacitation and the helicopter’s subsequent collision with power lines.
More accidents in MT
- Pilatus PC-12/45, Mar 22, 2009
- Beech D18S, Jul 5, 1987
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- Beech V35B, Jun 24, 1982
- Cessna 182C, May 12, 2007
Browse: Montana · 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.
