Bell 206B accident near Prosser, Washington, June 9, 2004
On June 9, 2004 at about 1:50 am local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N213SD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Prosser, Washington. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were 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 with the power lines while maneuvering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 9, 2004 · about 1:50 am local time
- Place
- Prosser, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N213SD · no longer on the register · serial 3109
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a right turn the helicopter's tail rotor became entangled in a power line. Pulling collective in an attempt to land on a road, the helicopter swung to the right and the main rotor struck another power line. As the pilot banked away from the second power line he seemed to gain some control of the aircraft before it impacted the ground. The helicopter came to rest in an upright position on its skids. No pre-accident anomalies with the helicopter were noted which would have precluded normal operations.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,350 hours in all; 236 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 6,140 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 31, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 17,000 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 1, 2004; 60 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250/C20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PSC Pasco WA at 1:00 am
- Destination: Prosser WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 am from PSC, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.