Bell 206B III N5015T

Summary

On 4 August 1996 at about 00:36 local time, a Bell 206B III registered N5015T was involved in an accident near Barton, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 August 1996 at 00:36

Classification

Accident

Location

Barton, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

34.7508, -87.9594

Aircraft

Bell 206B III

Registration

N5015T

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

MIA96LA200

1 person died.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the operator of the helicopter, the purpose of the flight was to defoliate an area of vegetation near power lines by spraying chemicals. The loader of the chemicals indicated that when the flight was due to return for refueling, he observed smoke near where the helicopter was spraying. He then called 911 and reported the crash. Investigation revealed that one of the main rotor blades had contacted a power line that was 97 feet above ground level. The helicopter then descended and impact the ground nose low and rolled onto its right side where it came to rest. Impact damage to the cockpit from the main rotor blades was noted. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. There were no known witnesses to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.