Probable cause
The pilot’s inflight distraction, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid wires.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported to his wife that while conducting an aerial application flight, he became distracted in the cockpit and failed to see and avoid wires that were spanning the field. The helicopter subsequently impacted the wires and then terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot was hospitalized but succumbed to his injuries 18 days after the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA342 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 30, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Denison, Iowa
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bell 206B
- N-number
- N231RL
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1974
- 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.