Bell 206B accident near Chapman, Kansas, July 5, 2023
On July 5, 2023 at about 9:41 pm local time, a 1994 Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N67FA, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Chapman, Kansas (Smokey Valley Ag airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the power line during an agricultural application pass.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 5, 2023 · about 9:41 pm local time
- Place
- Chapman, Kansas · Smokey Valley Ag · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B, built 1994 · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N67FA · registry record · serial 5168
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot intended to spray a corn field and had discussed the location of power lines with his ground crew. As he approached the field, he observed power lines on 3 sides of the field in addition to a large set of power lines feeding into an adjacent substation. The pilot completed a 360° survey to identify the hazards including power lines, guy wires, and trees. During the survey, the middle of the field appeared to be clear. The pilot initiated an initial application pass and the helicopter struck a green wire, about 1/4" in diameter. The pilot’s efforts to maintain control of the helicopter were not successful, and it subsequently impacted the corn field. The helicopter came to rest on its left side with substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, main rotor blades, and flight controls. The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions related to the helicopter before the impact with the power line. He also noted that the power line was green in color which was “practically invisible” with the background of the corn field.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,250 hours in all; 2,008 in this make and model; 4,656 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 3, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,095 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 22, 2023; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20 SER (turboshaft); 12,434 hours total
- Operator: Sf Leasing LLC
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Junction City KS at 6:18 pm
- Destination: PVT Junction City KS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft; a few clouds at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from KFRI, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KFRI 052155Z 01004KT 7SM FEW025 BKN070 27/19 A3005
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on September 8, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photos | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records -- Annual Inspection | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.