Bell 206L-1 accident near Linwood, Kansas, December 18, 1988
On December 18, 1988 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Bell 206L-1 (helicopter), registered N5012J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Linwood, Kansas. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION, INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, AND CLEARANCE NOT ATTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 18, 1988 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Linwood, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-1 · all 206L-1s on the register
- Registration
- N5012J · no longer on the register · serial 45210
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER COMPLETING AN EMS MISSION, WHILE ENROUTE BACK TO THE HOME BASE, HE THOUGHT HE SAW SMOKE ON THE GROUND, AND DECIDED TO MAKE A CLOSER, VISUAL CHECK. CRUISING INITIALLY AT 1000 AGL, HE BEGAN A CRUISE DESCENT TO BETTER INSPECT THE SMOKE. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK POWER LINES ABOUT 60 FEET AGL. AN EMERGENCY AUTOROTATION WAS ATTEMPTED AND A HARD LANDING WAS MADE IN A SHALLOW RIVER.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 8,222 hours in all; 342 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 7,568 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,382 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, December 13, 1988; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,100 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C28B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: St Louis Helicopter Arwys INC
The flight
- Departed from: Merriam KS
- Destination: FOE Topeka KS
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from TOP, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 4 |
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.