Bell 206B N150SP

Summary

On 27 April 2013 at about 14:30 local time, a Bell 206B registered N150SP was involved in an accident near Shepherd, Montana, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 April 2013 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Shepherd, Montana, United States

Coordinates

46.0886, -108.2464

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N150SP

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1977

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Worden → Shepherd

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13FA208

1 person died.

The pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering during low-altitude operations due to sudden neurological impairment or incapacitation and the helicopter’s subsequent collision with power lines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was maneuvering at low altitude during cattle herding operations. The helicopter collided with power lines and subsequently impacted terrain. Power lines were found wrapped around the main rotor mast about 25 times. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A small amount of acute blood was found in the left ventricle of the pilot's brain, but no significant traumatic injuries were found; thus, it is likely the hemorrhage occurred during an acute premortem event. Given the autopsy findings and that the pilot knew the flying area well and would have likely known where the power lines were located, it is likely that he was impaired or incapacitated by an acute neurologic event in the seconds before impact with the power lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.