Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to see and avoid wires while conducting a low-level aerial application flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight, the helicopter impacted wires that he did not see, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor blades. He stated that a road that paralleled the field dipped down, which made the wires appear below the horizon.
The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA280 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 5, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Amity, Missouri
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1
- N-number
- N828WP
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1979
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.