Bell 206-L4 accident near Springfield, Ohio, July 29, 2023
On July 29, 2023 at about 4:06 pm local time, a 1996 Bell 206-L4 (helicopter), registered N652HA, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Springfield, Ohio. 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 pilot’s failure to remain clear of powerlines during an agricultural spraying operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2023 · about 4:06 pm local time
- Place
- Springfield, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206-L4, built 1996 · all 206-L4s on the register
- Registration
- N652HA · registry record · serial 52175
- 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 commercial pilot was spraying a cornfield on an east-west pattern when he flew through a set of four high-tension powerlines that ran northeast-southwest through the cornfield. The middle two powerline wires were severed, but the top and bottom wires were not damaged. The helicopter came to rest about 150 ft east of the powerlines. A review of ADS-B data revealed that when the pilot arrived at the cornfield, he circled and flew over the powerlines, indicating that he was likely aware the powerlines would be an obstacle during the spray run. He then made several more spraying passes over the powerlines before the data ended shortly before he impacted the wires. On-scene examination of the wreckage revealed all major components of the helicopter were located at the accident site and that there was no evidence of any preimpact mechanical or malfunctions or failures of the helicopter 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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Attention › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,166 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 232 in the last 90 days; 105 in the last 30 days; 5,060 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 23, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,046 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 28, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 4,450 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-C30P (turboshaft); 7,046 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Springfield OH at 3:52 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 13 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,800 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 11:33 am from KSGH, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): SPECI KSGH 291533Z AUTO 28013G19KT 10SM BKN028 26/20 A2999 RMK AO2=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on June 4, 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, 9 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB - Summary of Email - Operator | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | NTSB Wreckage Exam Report | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Global Positioning System Device - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 10 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Attachment 1 to Global Positioning System Device - Specialist's Factual Report | data file · our copy | Download |
| 7 | ADS-B Data | spreadsheet · our copy | Download |
| 8 | Tox Report | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 9 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 10 | Evidence Control Form - Maintenance Records | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 11 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 14 pages · our copy | View Download |
Other NTSB records under N652HA the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.