Pilot Debrief

BELL 206B near Denison, IA — 2023-07-30

Final reportCEN23LA342
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Date
2023-07-30
Location
Denison, IA, USA
Aircraft
BELL 206B
Registration
N231RL
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

The pilot’s inflight distraction, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid wires.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported to his wife that while conducting an aerial application flight, he became distracted in the cockpit and failed to see and avoid wires that were spanning the field. The helicopter subsequently impacted the wires and then terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot was hospitalized but succumbed to his injuries 18 days after the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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