BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206L-1 near Homer, AK — 2008-09-26

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an external load lift. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of situational awareness.

NTSB narrative

The airline transport helicopter pilot was assisting an electric utility company in positioning personnel and equipment under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. While lifting an external load, he reported that he had completed the hovering long-line hookup, but forgot that he was directly under high tension power lines. He said that as he started to extend the line the main rotor blades contacted and severed the power lines. The pilot said that his next memory was being on the ground looking at the wreckage. He said the helicopter was operating normally until he contacted the wires. The helicopter sustained damage to the fuselage and rotor system.

NTSB coding

• External load event (Rotorcraft) · Initial climb
• Attention / Monitoring

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