Bell 206 accident near Lexington, Nebraska, September 25, 2024
On September 25, 2024 at about 11:20 pm local time, a 1981 Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N92PH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Lexington, Nebraska. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain proper clearance from powerlines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 25, 2024 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Lexington, Nebraska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B, built 1981 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N92PH · registry record · serial 3402
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Glare › Effect on personnel
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 13,075 hours in all; 6,000 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 7, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 26, 2024; 57.7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Provine Helicopter Service INC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from KLXN, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KLXN 252335Z AUTO 15005KT 10SM CLR 27/08 A2999 RMK AO2 T02690084
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 1 picture from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on March 13, 2025. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Investigative Photo | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Additional Documents | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.