Bell 206B N27TV

Summary

On 27 June 2004 at about 01:41 local time, a Bell 206B registered N27TV was involved in an accident near Cushing, Oklahoma, United States. 5 people were on board and 2 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

27 June 2004 at 01:41

Classification

Accident

Location

Cushing, Oklahoma, United States

Coordinates

36.0500, -98.7503

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N27TV

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cushing → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

FTW04FA167

2 people died.

the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Contributing factors were low altitude flight, sun glare, and the static wires.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While maneuvering during a local sightseeing flight, the helicopter impacted power lines, crashed into a river, and came to rest 90 percent submerged in the water approximately 1,500 feet from the power lines. According to the operator, the helicopter was providing sightseeing rides for guests at a birthday party. Approximately 1 hour prior to the accident, a witness observed the accident helicopter flying reckless near his residence. According to the accident flight passengers, the helicopter departed and flew west toward a nearby river. One passenger reported, "Once we arrived [at the river], he descended to within a few feet over the riverbed and then flew up into the power lines." Another passenger, who was seated in the rear center seat and looking out the windscreen, stated he could see the river and the sun out of the windscreen. The passengers did not see the power lines; however, one observed sparks and flying debris after contact with the power lines. The passengers stated the helicopter shook violently and impacted the water. Examination of the helicopter revealed the power lines impacted the helicopter's upper wire cutter, main rotor mast, and main rotor blade pitch links. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to impact with the power lines. The reported sunset on the day of the accident was 3 minutes after the impact with the power lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.