Bell 206B N94PH accident near Hartford, Kentucky

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to avoid a powerline that crossed a field that he was spraying. Contributing to the collision was the company’s failure to specifically mention that flight hazards be identified during a pre-work conference.

NTSB analysis

Before spraying a tract, the pilot circled it three times to look for lines, obstructions, houses, and people and to develop a plan to spray the field. He completed two spray passes, and during the third spray pass, he heard a “pop” sound and saw “the lines” as they contacted the windscreen. The helicopter was controllable for a “brief moment,” but it then yawed slowly to the right and slightly down at which point all control was lost. The helicopter continued to rotate clockwise and veered to the right, then impacted the ground on the left side. The pilot reported that there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction with the helicopter or its systems, and that during his three orbits of the tract, he did not identify the power line that he subsequently contacted.

While the company policy and procedures manual specified that the pilot identify potential problem areas or miscommunications, it did not specify that flight hazards be identified during the pre-work conference. Postaccident, the operator changed its policy and procedures manual and specifically stated that flight hazards be identified during the pre-work conference before spraying a tract.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13LA236 for the full record.