|
Location:
|
Stonewall, Oklahoma
|
Accident Number:
|
WPR26LA277
|
|
Date & Time:
|
July 21, 2026, 14:44 Local
|
Registration:
|
N2193X
|
|
Aircraft:
|
Bell 206B III
|
Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
|
|
Defining Event:
|
Miscellaneous/other
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Injuries:
|
1 Serious
|
|
Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 137: Agricultural
|
|
|
Analysis
During a low-altitude aerial herbicide application along an electrical transmission right-of-way, the helicopter struck power lines. Following the wire strike, the helicopter impacted terrain and sustained substantial damage to the tailboom, main rotor, and fuselage. The pilot was seriously injured.
The operator reported 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 conducting a low-altitude aerial application.
Findings
Factual Information
History of Flight
Pilot Information
|
Certificate:
|
Commercial
|
Age:
|
41,Male
|
|
Airplane Rating(s):
|
None
|
Seat Occupied:
|
Front
|
|
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
|
Helicopter
|
Restraint Used:
|
4-point
|
|
Instrument Rating(s):
|
Helicopter
|
Second Pilot Present:
|
No
|
|
Instructor Rating(s):
|
None
|
Toxicology Performed:
|
|
|
Medical Certification:
|
Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
|
Last FAA Medical Exam:
|
March 5, 2026
|
|
Occupational Pilot:
|
Yes
|
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
|
February 4, 2026
|
|
Flight Time:
|
(Estimated) 4921 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3070 hours (Total, this make and model)
|
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
|
Aircraft Make:
|
Bell
|
Registration:
|
N2193X
|
|
Model/Series:
|
206B III
|
Aircraft Category:
|
Helicopter
|
|
Year of Manufacture:
|
1981
|
Amateur Built:
|
|
|
Airworthiness Certificate:
|
Restricted (Special)
|
Serial Number:
|
3506
|
|
Landing Gear Type:
|
High skid
|
Seats:
|
1
|
|
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
|
July 3, 2026 100 hour
|
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
|
3200 lbs
|
|
Time Since Last Inspection:
|
42 Hrs
|
Engines:
|
1 Turbo shaft
|
|
Airframe Total Time:
|
18551.7 Hrs as of last inspection
|
Engine Manufacturer:
|
Rolls Royce
|
|
ELT:
|
Not installed
|
Engine Model/Series:
|
M250-C20B
|
|
Registered Owner:
|
Industrial Helicopters LLC
|
Rated Power:
|
420 Horsepower
|
|
Operator:
|
Industrial Helicopters LLC
|
Operating Certificate(s) Held:
|
Agricultural aircraft (137)
|
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
|
Conditions at Accident Site:
|
Visual (VMC)
|
Condition of Light:
|
Day
|
|
Observation Facility, Elevation:
|
KADH,1016 ft msl
|
Distance from Accident Site:
|
9 Nautical Miles
|
|
Observation Time:
|
14:35 Local
|
Direction from Accident Site:
|
343°
|
|
Lowest Cloud Condition:
|
Clear
|
Visibility
|
9 miles
|
|
Lowest Ceiling:
|
None
|
Visibility (RVR):
|
|
|
Wind Speed/Gusts:
|
/ Turbulence Type
Forecast/Actual:
|
None / None
|
|
Wind Direction:
|
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
|
N/A / N/A
|
|
Altimeter Setting:
|
29.91 inches Hg
|
Temperature/Dew Point:
|
39°C / 24°C
|
|
Precipitation and Obscuration:
|
No Obscuration; No Precipitation
|
|
|
Departure Point:
|
Ada, OK (ADH)
|
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
|
None
|
|
Destination:
|
Ada, OK (ADH)
|
Type of Clearance:
|
None
|
|
Departure Time:
|
13:22 Local
|
Type of Airspace:
|
Class G
|
Airport Information
|
Airport:
|
Field
|
Runway Surface Type:
|
|
|
Airport Elevation:
|
|
Runway Surface Condition:
|
Dry;Vegetation
|
|
Runway Used:
|
|
IFR Approach:
|
None
|
|
Runway Length/Width:
|
|
VFR Approach/Landing:
|
None
|
Wreckage and Impact Information
|
Crew Injuries:
|
1 Serious
|
Aircraft Damage:
|
Substantial
|
|
Passenger Injuries:
|
|
Aircraft Fire:
|
None
|
|
Ground Injuries:
|
|
Aircraft Explosion:
|
None
|
|
Total Injuries:
|
1 Serious
|
Latitude, Longitude:
|
34.65082,-96.61133(est)
|
Administrative Information
|
Investigator In Charge (IIC):
|
Slinker, Stanley
|
|
Additional Participating Persons:
|
Juan Medrano; Federal Aviation Administration; OKC, OK
|
|
Original Publish Date:
|
October 27, 2026
|
|
Last Revision Date:
|
|
Investigation Class:
|
Class 4
|
|
Note:
|
The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
|
|
Investigation Docket:
|
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203459
|
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