Pilot Debrief

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO 369 near Yabucoa, PR — 2018-06-16

Final reportGAA18CA378
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Date
2018-06-16
Location
Yabucoa, PR, USA
Aircraft
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO 369
Registration
N900FF
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Hover

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor clearance from a fiber line while picking up a lineman.

NTSB narrative

According to the helicopter pilot, he dropped off a lineman on top of a power line tower to install fiber lines. The lineman completed the task and informed the pilot by radio that he was ready to be picked up from the tower. While picking up the lineman, the pilot hovered next to the tower and signaled to the lineman that he was ready for him to transfer from the tower to the helicopter’s left skid. When the lineman reached out to attach his lanyard to the helicopter, the pilot felt the main rotor blades strike a fiber line that the lineman had just installed. The helicopter became controllable, and the pilot conducted a precautionary landing without picking up the lineman. After the pilot discussed the event with the lineman, the lineman raised the fiber line to a higher position on the tower and then the pilot picked him up. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that the main rotor blades sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by assessing each approach and landing individually while looking for any possible new hazards or obstructions. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Assessing each approach and landing for new hazards could have prevented the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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