Bell 206B Aerial Survey Accident Near Terra Alta, West Virginia (N9913K)

Accident Overview and Flight Details On July 21, 2023, at approximately 1105 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, registration N9913K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Terra Alta, West Virginia. The aircraft was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The pilot and a crewmember sustained serious injuries in the incident. The flight departed Morgantown Municipal Airport/Walter L Bill Hart Field (MGW) in Morgantown, West Virginia, at about 1039. The objective was to survey power transmission lines in the local area. During the operation, the helicopter was near its maximum gross weight, flying at an altitude of 400 to 450 feet above ground level with an airspeed of 45 knots. After completing one survey line, the aircraft crested a hill and began a descent following the terrain toward the next power transmission line. Approximately 10 seconds into the descent, the pilot reported feeling a push. The pilot attributed the subsequent drop in airspeed to a tailwind and gently lowered the collective. The helicopter continued to descend, and the pilot noted that the airspeed had fallen below the threshold for effective translational lift. He pushed the cyclic forward to regain airspeed and further lowered the collective, with approximately 85% power applied. Despite these actions, the helicopter continued to lose altitude. The proximity to power transmission lines and trees prevented the pilot from turning the helicopter into the wind to recover. Realizing recovery was not possible, the pilot hugged the tree line to avoid the power lines. When the helicopter dropped below the tree line, he pulled up on the collective to cushion the landing. The helicopter impacted the ground skids first and swung to the right. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the flight.