Pilot Debrief

HUGHES 369D near Blair, WI — 2018-03-07

Final reportCEN18LA121
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Date
2018-03-07
Location
Blair, WI, USA
Aircraft
HUGHES 369D
Registration
N499SL
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to recognize and compensate for hazards during the external load operation, which led to a collision between a lineman (external load) and a powerline.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot of the helicopter reported that the purpose of the flight was to lift a utility company lineman to a structure to perform work in conjunction with a new powerline project. While transporting the lineman to the structure using a long line, the worker contacted an existing, live powerline and was seriously injured. The weather conditions at the time of the accident included 10 miles visibility and no precipitation. The pilot reported that he could not see the powerline from his perspective until it was too late to make a course change. The pilot recommended that better recognition of hazards and obstructions may have prevented the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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