Bell OH 58C N510CP

Summary

On 16 November 2018 at about 17:30 local time, a Bell OH 58C registered N510CP, operated by Columbus Police Department, was involved in an accident near Verbena, Alabama, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 November 2018 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Verbena, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

32.8222, -86.4592

Aircraft

Bell OH 58C

Registration

N510CP

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1970

Engines

1

Operator

Columbus Police Department

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Auburn → Clanton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA19FA047

2 people died.

The pilot's improper decision to conduct a low-level flight over a river, and his failure to see and avoid power lines, which resulted in the helicopter's impact with power lines and the water.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was repositioning the helicopter for routine maintenance with a passenger onboard. According to witness statements, the helicopter approached a river and flew over it at a low altitude. The helicopter then impacted power lines that spanned the river, descended, and came to rest in the water. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot was flying low over the river and did not see the power lines before the helicopter struck them.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.