Casualties unknown

2005-10-02: Bell 206B (N201SC) — Pixley, CA

Pixley, CA, US

On October 2, 2005, a Bell 206B (registration N201SC) was involved in an aviation accident near Pixley, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire during a low altitude aerial application flight. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A helicopter conducting aerial applications struck a support wire between poles, snagged on the vertical stabilizer, then impacted terrain and rolled into a canal. The pilot had been preparing to spray field borders.

Incident Overview

A helicopter was conducting aerial application operations when it struck a support wire strung between two poles. The pilot had completed spraying the main field and was preparing to spray the borders. He checked the power lines near the field and decided to fly beneath them to avoid drift over the adjacent field.

Sequence of Events

As the pilot approached the wires for the spray run, he noticed a guy-wire running from pole to pole below the power lines. He lowered the collective in an attempt to avoid the wire, but the top portion of the helicopter's vertical stabilizer snagged the wire. The helicopter then impacted the terrain and rolled into a canal.

Aircraft and Operations Details

The aircraft was engaged in aerial application work at the time of the accident. No further specifics about the helicopter model, registration, operator, or date have been provided in the source material.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20051114X01837. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.