Bell 206-L4 accident near Moundridge, Kansas, March 8, 2009
On March 8, 2009 at about 7:26 pm local time, a Bell 206-L4 (helicopter), registered N863H, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Moundridge, Kansas. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Inflight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 8, 2009 · about 7:26 pm local time
- Place
- Moundridge, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206-L4 · all 206-L4s on the register
- Registration
- N863H · no longer on the register · serial 52252
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While en route to the destination airport, the helicopter impacted terrain in a relatively level attitude at high speed. A review of the helicopter’s Sky Connect flight path showed fluctuations in altitude prior to the helicopter’s impact with terrain. The pilot had severe obstructive sleep apnea known to the FAA and effectively treated it with routine use of a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which was found among the pilot’s personal effects in the wreckage. It was not possible to determine whether the pilot had used the device in the days leading up to the accident. Also found among the pilot’s personal effects was a container of nasal swabs marketed for the relief of congestion. It is possible (but could not be conclusively determined) that the pilot had nasal congestion that prevented him from using his CPAP in the day or days leading up to the accident, potentially resulting in severe fatigue on the day of the accident. An examination of the airframe and engine did not detect any anomalies prior to impact. An examination of the helicopter's annunciator panel did not reveal evidence that any lights were illuminated at the time of impact.
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
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during unknown
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 24,722 hours in all
- Last flight review: December 3, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,583.2 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, January 27, 2009; 213 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,450 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C30P (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Hillcrest Aircraft CO
The flight
- Departed from: OGA Ogallala NE at 5:04 pm
- Destination: EWK Newton KS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 7:15 pm from KEWK, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.