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Location:
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Lexington, Nebraska
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Accident Number:
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CEN24LA368
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Date & Time:
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September 25, 2024, 18:20 Local
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Registration:
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N92PH
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Aircraft:
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Bell 206
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Low altitude operation/event
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Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 137: Agricultural
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Analysis
While performing an aerial application flight, the pilot was tasked with identifying the target vegetation and then spraying the applicant. The pilot had performed a reconnaissance of the general area and was aware of the powerlines nearby. He stated that it was getting late in the day and the sun was now setting to the west. After making a spray run, the pilot pulled up but had misjudged his distance from the power lines and did not see them clearly, possibly due to sun blindness. The helicopter collided with the power lines, impacted terrain, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot sustained head and chest injuries. He stated that his head injuries would not have occurred had he worn a helmet. His helmet had been stolen from his helicopter about 10 days prior to the accident and with only 20 days left to spray opted to fly without one until he could purchase a replacement.
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 proper clearance from powerlines.
Findings
Environmental issues Glare - Effect on personnel
Environmental issues Wire - Awareness of condition
Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial
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Age:
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65,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-engine land; Single-engine
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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sea; Multi-engine land
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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3-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Airplane; Helicopter
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Airplane multi-engine; Airplane
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Toxicology Performed:
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|
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single-engine; Instrument airplane
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2 Without
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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June 17, 2024
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|
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waivers/limitations
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|
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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June 7, 2023
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Flight Time:
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(Estimated) 13075 hours (Total, all aircraft), 6000 hours (Total, this make and model)
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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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N92PH
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Model/Series:
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206 B
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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1981
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Amateur Built:
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|
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Restricted (Special)
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Serial Number:
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3402
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Landing Gear Type:
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High skid
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Seats:
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5
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Date/Type of Last
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August 26, 2024 100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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3200 lbs
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Inspection:
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|
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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57.7 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 (Allison)
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ELT:
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Not installed
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Engine Model/Series:
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250-C20B
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Registered Owner:
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PROVINE HELICOPTER
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Rated Power:
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420 Horsepower
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|
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SERVICE INC
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Operator:
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PROVINE HELICOPTER
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Operating Certificate(s)
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Agricultural aircraft (137)
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|
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SERVICE INC
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Held:
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|
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Operator Does Business As:
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PROVINE HELICOPTER
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Operator Designator Code:
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1UXH
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SERVICE INC
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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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KLXN,2413 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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4 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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18:35 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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79°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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|
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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5 knots /
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Turbulence Type
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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Wind Direction:
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150°
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Turbulence Severity
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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Altimeter Setting:
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29.99 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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27°C / 8°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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Lexington, NE
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Lexington, NE
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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 Serious
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Injuries:
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|
|
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Ground Injuries:
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Latitude,
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40.774919,-99.844417(est)
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|
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Longitude:
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|
Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Aguilera, Jason
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Additional Participating
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Steven Helmandollar; FAA FSDO; Lincoln, NE
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Persons:
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Original Publish Date:
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March 13, 2025
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Last Revision Date:
|
|
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Investigation Class:
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Class 4
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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=195203
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation— railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.
The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation, “accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition, statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.
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