Bell 206B N263CH

Summary

On 10 December 2010 at about 16:55 local time, a Bell 206B registered N263CH, operated by Albatross Air, Inc., was involved in an accident near Isom, Kentucky, United States. 3 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 December 2010 at 16:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Isom, Kentucky, United States

Coordinates

37.1722, -82.8781

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N263CH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Albatross Air, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Whitesburg → Whitesburg

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11LA083

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a known wire hazard during an aerial observation flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a local aerial power line observation flight, the helicopter impacted the static wire for the power line. The pilot reported that he never lost control of the helicopter, but landed as soon as he could in a parking lot, which was about 1/4 mile from the wire strike. He further stated that prior to the wire strike; there were no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector that responded to the accident site reported that a 12 inch piece of the 7-strand wire remained in the wire cutter located below the main rotor mast.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.