Bell 206B N771GM

Summary

On 4 January 1994 at about 16:20 local time, a Bell 206B registered N771GM, operated by Southwest Helicopters, Inc., was involved in an accident near Coolidge Dam, Arizona, United States. 4 people were on board and one died, 3 were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 January 1994 at 16:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Coolidge Dam, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N771GM

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Southwest Helicopters, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kearny → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX94LA090

1 person died.

the pilot's selection of a cruise altitude insufficient to ensure adequate obstacle clearance and his inadequate visual lookout. A factor in the accident was the inconspicuousness of the power lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After flying uneventfully for about 1.5 hrs, the pilot was directed to reposition the helicopter to another portion of a wildlife population survey flight area. While cruising en route, between 130 and 180 feet agl, the helicopter collided with an unmarked power line and crashed. A postimpact fire erupted which destroyed the helicopter. The State of AZ, Dept. of Fish & Game, had contracted for its personnel to be transported via helicopter over mountainous terrain on the survey flight. A mission requirement was to fly within 200 feet of ground level. Prior to departure, the pilot had prepared himself regarding obstructions in the survey area. The accident power lines were depicted on the sectional chart. Several pilots reported that the lines were extremely difficult to observe. The helicopter was not equipped with a wire strike protection system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.