Bell 206B accident near Bessemer, Alabama, June 29, 1992
On June 29, 1992 at about 11:42 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N2636X, was destroyed in an accident near Bessemer, Alabama. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM WIRES.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 1992 · about 11:42 pm local time
- Place
- Bessemer, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2636X · no longer on the register · serial 801
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE SPRAYING HERBICIDES ALONG THE UTILITY RIGHT OF WAY, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE UTILITY LINES ABOUT 150 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER FELL TO THE GROUND AND BURNED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR MATERIAL FAILURE. ANOTHER HELICOPTER FROM THE COMPANY OPERATING WITHIN THE SAME AREA REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO DISTRESS RADIO CALL RECEIVED FROM THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER NOR WERE THERE WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 10,942 hours in all; 3,808 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 10,942 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,932 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, June 6, 1992; 46 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Chem-Air INC.,
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Pelham AL at 11:30 pm
- Destination: PVT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,500 ft; clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:56 pm from BHM, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.