Bell 206BIII N2779B

Summary

On 27 June 2002 at about 13:58 local time, a Bell 206BIII registered N2779B, operated by Aero West, was involved in an accident near Raton, New Mexico, 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

27 June 2002 at 13:58

Classification

Accident

Location

Raton, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

36.8258, -104.9083

Aircraft

Bell 206BIII

Registration

N2779B

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Aero West

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN02FA065

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance of the static wire. Factors were the static wire, and the glaring sunlight condition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was flying a power line inspection patrol for possible maintenance needs when the helicopter struck power lines. The mission was flown at 40 to 50 knots, on the right side of the wires, with the main rotor a "few" feet above the highest wire, but not over-lapping the wire. This permitted the observer, sitting in the left seat, to have an optimum view. Two 3/8 inch in diameter galvanized steel static cables (without associated transmission wires) joined the northbound galvanized steel static cables (with associated transmission cables) on a 30 degrees angle. The accident occurred at 0758, when the sun was at approximately 24 degree altitude above the horizon, and its azimuth was 78 degrees east of north (there were no clouds in the sky). This report was modified on November 21, 2005.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.