No fatalities

Helicopter Strikes Wires and Impacts Terrain During Aerial Application Low Pass

Dukedom, TN, United States

On July 27, 2019, a Bell 206 B operated by Vertical Air Services Technology was involved in an aviation accident near Dukedom, TN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A helicopter struck wires and impacted terrain during an aerial application low pass after leveling off from a turn. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. No preaccident mechanical failures were reported by the operator.

Accident Details

A helicopter pilot reported that while conducting an aerial application low pass, the aircraft struck wires shortly after leveling off from a turn. The helicopter subsequently impacted terrain. The pilot provided the account of the sequence of events.

Damage

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor system, and tail rotor system. The extent of the damage indicates significant impact forces.

Operator's Report

According to the helicopter operator, there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The operator's assessment suggests that the accident was not attributable to any known mechanical issue.

Contributing factors

PilotEffect on operation

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Jul 2019 Bell 206 B accident near Dukedom, TN?

A helicopter struck wires and impacted terrain during an aerial application low pass after leveling off from a turn. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. No preaccident mechanical failures were reported by the operator.

Were there any fatalities in the 27 Jul 2019 Bell 206 B accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Jul 2019 involved a Bell 206 B, operated by Vertical Air Services Technology, at Dukedom, TN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.