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Location:
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Ulysses, Kansas
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Accident Number:
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CEN21LA225
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Date & Time:
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May 18, 2021, 14:30 Local
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Registration:
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N176SJ
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Aircraft:
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Bell OH58A
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Aircraft Damage:
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Destroyed
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Defining Event:
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Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
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Injuries:
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1 Fatal
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 137: Agricultural
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Analysis
The pilot was performing aerial application operations when the helicopter collided with a power line and subsequently impacted terrain. The pilot was fatally injured. The accident occurred during the pilot’s 21st pass over the field that day, and the pilot had been maneuvering to avoid the wire numerous times prior to the accident. Examination of the helicopter revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the power line during the aerial application flight.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during the aerial application flight, which resulted in collision with the power line and subsequent impact with terrain.
Findings
Environmental issues - Wire - Effect on equipment
Personnel issues - Identification/recognition - Pilot
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Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)
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On May 18, 2021, about 1430 central daylight time, a Bell OH-58A helicopter, N176SJ, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ulysses, Kansas. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.
The helicopter impacted a powerline while the pilot was applying chemicals to a field. The operator reported that the accident pass was the pilot’s 21st pass over the field, and that the pilot had been maneuvering over the powerline during the previous passes. The loader who was at the scene reported that the helicopter passed the wires, and he heard two loud pops. The helicopter collided with terrain about 60° nose-low, and the loader called emergency services.
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial; Flight instructor Age:
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47,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None Seat Occupied:
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Right
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter Restraint Used:
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4-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Helicopter Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Helicopter Toxicology Performed:
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Yes
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2 Without waivers/limitations Last FAA Medical Exam:
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July 21, 2020
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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October 21, 2020
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Flight Time:
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(Estimated) 4500 hours (Total, all aircraft)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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Bell
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Registration:
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N176SJ
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Model/Series:
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OH58A NO SERIES
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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1970
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Restricted (Special)
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Serial Number:
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70-15556
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Landing Gear Type:
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High skid
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Seats:
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4
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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March 11, 2021 100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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8382.7 Hrs
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Engines:
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1 Turbo shaft
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Airframe Total Time:
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as of last inspection
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Rolls-Royce
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ELT:
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Not installed
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Engine Model/Series:
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250-C20C
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Registered Owner:
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Rated Power:
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425 Horsepower
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Operator:
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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Agricultural aircraft (137)
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Operator Does Business As:
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TRI-ROTOR CROP SERVICES LLC
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Operator Designator Code:
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KGCK,2882 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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38 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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13:54 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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54°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Scattered / 10000 ft AGL
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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9 knots / 17 knots
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Wind Direction:
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130°
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Altimeter Setting:
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29.93 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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19°C / 13°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Ulysses, KS
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Ulysses, KS
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Fatal
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Aircraft Damage:
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Destroyed
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Passenger Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Fatal
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Latitude, Longitude:
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37.565617,-101.37033(est)
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The helicopter impacted a field and came to rest on its side about 150 yards from the power lines. All major components of the helicopter were located at the accident site. The forward cockpit area was crushed and distorted. Both main rotor blades were damaged and remained attached to the main rotor hub. The main rotor hub was impact separated from the transmission. Flight control continuity was established throughout the helicopter through areas that were fractured with signatures consistent with overload. A portion of the power line was found on the ground between the wire strike location and the wreckage. The helicopter was equipped with wire cutters, but they did not display signatures of damage or wire contact.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot succumbed to his injuries in the hospital 2 days after the accident. The Kearny County, Kansas, coroner issued a certificate of death and listed the cause of death as massive blunt trauma (to) head, torso, and extremities. Toxicology testing on the pilot’s hospital admission blood was positive for norketamine (metabolite of anesthetic ketamine), famotidine (antacid), and ondansetron (antinausea medication). These medications were likely given to the pilot during postaccident medical treatment.
Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Aguilera, Jason
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Michael LeBlanc; FAA FSDO; Wichita, KS
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Original Publish Date:
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December 6, 2022 Investigation Class:
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3
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103107
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