Bell 206B accident near Whiteside, Tennessee, August 23, 2022
On August 23, 2022 at about 7:47 pm local time, a 2007 Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N770HP, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Whiteside, Tennessee. It was an aerial observation flight under public-use (government) rules. 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerlines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 23, 2022 · about 7:47 pm local time
- Place
- Whiteside, Tennessee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B NO SERIES, built 2007 · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N770HP · registry record · serial 4624
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and the passenger/observer, who were both law enforcement personnel, were flying in a helicopter on a law enforcement mission when it struck a marked, 1-inch diameter, energized (161K volt) aluminum high-tension powerline cable. The high-tension powerlines were about 430 ft tall and about 3,800 ft long. A witness was driving on a nearby interstate when he observed the helicopter flying low and close to the powerlines. The witness reported that he was concerned the helicopter was going to hit the lines. He described the helicopter as hovering, and it did not appear to be in distress. The witness then saw the helicopter strike the powerlines and observed an “arc.” The helicopter spun a few times as it descended and went out of view. The helicopter came to rest in heavily wooded and steep mountainous terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor, and tail rotor. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions and failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,948.7 hours in all; 6,528 in this make and model; 1,169.7 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 4, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,674 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-C20J (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Tennessee Dept Of Safety
The flight
- Departed from: APT Jasper TN at 7:01 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; scat at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from CHA, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCHA 231853Z VRB03KT 10SM SCT045 SCT055 SCT150 BKN250 30/18 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP140 T03000178
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on January 31, 2024. 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 | NTSB Record of Interview -witness | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB GPS Factual Report | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB GPS Factual Report - Attachment 1 | data file · our copy | Download |
| 4 | GPS Plot | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Investigation Photos | PDF, 12 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | NTSB - Summary of Wreckage Exam | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 8 | NTSB Memorandum of Record - Autopsy | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 9 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 10 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 10 | Evidence Control Forms | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 11 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
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.