Bell 206 N92PH

Summary

On 25 September 2024 at about 23:20 local time, a Bell 206 registered N92PH, operated by Provine Helicopter Service Inc, was involved in an accident near Lexington, Nebraska, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 September 2024 at 23:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Lexington, Nebraska, United States

Coordinates

40.7749, -99.8444

Aircraft

Bell 206

Registration

N92PH

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1981

Engines

1

Operator

Provine Helicopter Service Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN24LA368

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper clearance from powerlines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While performing an aerial application flight, the pilot was tasked with identifying the target vegetation and then spraying the applicant. The pilot had performed a reconnaissance of the general area and was aware of the powerlines nearby. He stated that it was getting late in the day and the sun was now setting to the west. After making a spray run, the pilot pulled up but had misjudged his distance from the power lines and did not see them clearly, possibly due to sun blindness. The helicopter collided with the power lines, impacted terrain, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot sustained head and chest injuries. He stated that his head injuries would not have occurred had he worn a helmet. His helmet had been stolen from his helicopter about 10 days prior to the accident and with only 20 days left to spray opted to fly without one until he could purchase a replacement.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.