Bell 206B N161BH

Summary

On 13 March 2021 at about 21:55 local time, a Bell 206B registered N161BH, operated by Trinkle AG Flying, was involved in an accident near Laton, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 March 2021 at 21:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Laton, California, United States

Coordinates

36.4329, -119.6882

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N161BH

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1975

Engines

1

Operator

Trinkle AG Flying

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR21LA130

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-altitude maneuvering.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while conducting an aerial application on a field, he overflew one set of powerlines, however, struck the second set of powerlines shortly after. Subsequently, the helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on its left side substantially damaging the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.