Bell 206L-3 N6516K

Summary

On 8 September 2021 at about 18:00 local time, a Bell 206L-3 registered N6516K, operated by Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC, was involved in an accident near Tillamook, Oregon, 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

8 September 2021 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Tillamook, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

45.3657, -123.6467

Aircraft

Bell 206L-3

Registration

N6516K

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1990

Engines

1

Operator

Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tillamook → Tillamook

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR21LA338

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a powerline during a low reconnaissance, with sun glare.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that he was on a low reconnaissance over a field in a canyon intended for agricultural application. During a climb out that was on a heading facing the sun, he lost sight of a previously identified powerline, and attempted to avoid it by referencing the two supporting powerline poles. As the helicopter flew closer, he located the wires and believed that the helicopter’s trajectory would clear the obstacle; however, the helicopter struck the powerline, the pilot lost control, and the helicopter descended and impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. 

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.