Bell 206B N969W

Summary

On 25 April 2012 at about 01:00 local time, a Bell 206B registered N969W, operated by San Joaquin Helicopters Inc, was involved in an accident near Arvin, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 April 2012 at 01:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Arvin, California, United States

Nearest airport

Delano (DLO)

Coordinates

35.0406, -118.8097

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N969W

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

San Joaquin Helicopters Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Arvin → Arvin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12CA183

Nobody was injured.

The pilot did not maintain clearance from power lines during low altitude maneuvering.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to performing the aerial application flight, the pilot surveyed the field and observed a set of power lines along the eastern border. While completing the final pass toward the east, the helicopter struck the power lines. The pilot reported that he did not see the lines silhouetted against the grey sky until just before the collision and that he performed an evasive maneuver in an attempt to descend below the lines. The helicopter struck the ground after the collision, nosed over, and rolled onto its right side, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system. This was the pilot's second revenue flight, having recently been hired as an apprentice. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.