Bell 206B N157P

Summary

On 12 April 1989 at about 13:44 local time, a Bell 206B registered N157P, operated by Commonwealth of PA., was involved in an accident near Airville, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 April 1989 at 13:44

Classification

Accident

Location

Airville, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

39.8199, -76.3905

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N157P

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Commonwealth of PA.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lancaster → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC89GA116

2 people died.

THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SEE AND AVOID THE UNMARKED POWER LINES STRETCHED ACROSS THE RIVER. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF VISUAL CLUES.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING OPERATED BY THE PA STATE POLICE OVER THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER SEARCHING FOR A POSSIBLE VICTIM REPORTED TO HAVE JUMPED INTO THE RIVER. IT WAS TRAVELLING IN A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION WHEN IT HIT UNMARKED POWER LINES STRETCHED EAST AND WEST ACROSS, AND ABOUT 160 FT ABOVE, THE RIVER. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN ABOUT 10 FEET OF WATER. THE POWER LINES WERE SUPPORTED BY 60-FOOT WOODEN POLES SET BACK INTO THE WOOD LINE, AND WERE NOT SHOWN ON ANY OF THE AREA CHARTS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.