Bell 206B N8104J

Summary

On 22 October 2001 at about 22:38 local time, a Bell 206B registered N8104J, operated by Saber Cargo Airlines, was involved in an accident near N. Wilkesboro, North Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 October 2001 at 22:38

Classification

Accident

Location

N. Wilkesboro, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Wilkes County (UKF)

Coordinates

36.1589, -81.1125

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N8104J

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Saber Cargo Airlines

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wilkesboro → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL02FA003

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout and clearance above obstacles, which resulted in a collision with power lines and subsequent loss of control and collision with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter collided with power lines in cruise flight approximately 130 feet above the ground, then collided with the ground and burst into flames. Power line cable 3/4-inch in diameter was found wrapped several times around the transmission mast, and the helicopter was not equipped with a Wire Strike Protection System. Examination of the airframe and powerplant revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. It was observed that the rising terrain to the west of the accident site cast a shadow over the power lines at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.