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Helicopter Strikes Wires and Crashes on Highway During Filming (N9877Z)

Mason, TX, US

On August 20, 2003, a Bell 206B (registration N9877Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Mason, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power line. A contributing factor was the sunglare. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot with 3,225 hours was filming a car from a helicopter when it struck wires, descended, hit the highway, and skidded into a ditch, where it caught fire and was destroyed.

Accident Narrative

According to the pilot's report, he was operating a helicopter while video-filming an automobile driving westbound into the sunset. The pilot stated, "as we continued down the highway, we came upon the second set of wires before I thought we should have. With the sun in my eyes, I did not see them until maybe a second before we impacted it."

After striking the wires, the helicopter descended in a slight nose-low attitude and impacted the highway. The aircraft then skidded off the roadway and came to rest in a ditch.

Investigation

An FAA inspector who responded to the accident site examined the helicopter. The examination revealed that the helicopter caught fire after it came to a stop and was destroyed. The pilot reported having 3,225 hours of flight experience. No other details were provided regarding the aircraft type, registration, occupants, or injuries.

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Bell 206 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 Aug 2003 Bell 206B accident near Mason, TX?

A pilot with 3,225 hours was filming a car from a helicopter when it struck wires, descended, hit the highway, and skidded into a ditch, where it caught fire and was destroyed.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 Aug 2003 involved a Bell 206B, registration N9877Z, at Mason, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power line. A contributing factor was the sunglare.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030827X01415. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.