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Location:
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Archer City, Texas
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Accident Number:
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CEN25LA396
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Date & Time:
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September 27, 2025, 12:30 Local
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Registration:
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N565VA
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Aircraft:
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Bell 206
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Aircraft Damage:
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Destroyed
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Defining Event:
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Low altitude operation/event
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Injuries:
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1 None
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 91: General aviation - Personal
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Analysis
The pilot was attempting to herd livestock when the helicopter contacted a powerline which damaged the main rotor system and resulted in a loss of control. The helicopter crash-landed into a shallow ditch and came to rest on its right side. The pilot was able to egress with minor injuries before the helicopter was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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 power lines while herding livestock.
Findings
Environmental issues Wire - Effect on equipment
Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot
Aircraft Altitude - Not attained/maintained
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)
Maneuvering Loss of control in flight
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Private
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Age:
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70,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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4-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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None
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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|
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Medical Certification:
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BasicMed Without
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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January 5, 2023
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|
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waivers/limitations
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|
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Occupational Pilot:
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No
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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|
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Flight Time:
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1094 hours (Total, all aircraft), 764 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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N565VA
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Model/Series:
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206 B3
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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1980
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Amateur Built:
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|
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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3107
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Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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5
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Date/Type of Last
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May 17, 2025 Annual
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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|
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Inspection:
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|
|
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Turbo shaft
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Airframe Total Time:
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13318 Hrs as of last
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Allison
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|
|
inspection
|
|
|
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ELT:
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Not installed
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Engine Model/Series:
|
250-C20
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|
Registered Owner:
|
On file
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Rated Power:
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420 Horsepower
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Operator:
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On file
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Operating Certificate(s)
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None
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|
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Held:
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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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KRPH,1123 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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30 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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12:35 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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163°
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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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4 knots / None
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Turbulence Type
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/
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|
|
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Forecast/Actual:
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|
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Wind Direction:
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230°
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Turbulence Severity
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/
|
|
|
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Forecast/Actual:
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|
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Altimeter Setting:
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30 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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30°C / 12°C
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|
Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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|
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Departure Point:
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Archer City, TX
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Archer City, TX
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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|
Departure Time:
|
|
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 None
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Aircraft Damage:
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Destroyed
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|
Passenger
|
|
Aircraft Fire:
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On-ground
|
|
Injuries:
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|
|
|
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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 None
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Latitude,
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33.592,-98.7308
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|
|
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Longitude:
|
|
Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Maxon, Cory
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Additional Participating
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Corey Wehmeyer; FAA; Lubbock, TX
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|
Persons:
|
|
|
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Original Publish Date:
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January 15, 2026
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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=201738
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|
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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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