Pilot Debrief

HUGHES 269B near Salesville, AR — 2008-07-15

Final reportDEN08FA122
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Date
2008-07-15
Location
Salesville, AR, USA
Aircraft
HUGHES 269B
Registration
N469E
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the crossing transmission line.

NTSB narrative

The pilot flew to an off-airport location to pick up an electrical company employee. After being on the ground about eight minutes, the pilot and passenger then flew power line patrol looking for vegetation encroachment. One hour and 36 minutes after taking off one of the helicopter's main rotor blades impacted the middle strand of a crossing high voltage transmission line. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and postimpact fire. The impacted transmission line was approximately 100 feet above and crossed perpendicularly to the transmission line they were following. Examination of the helicopter wreckage revealed no preexisting anomalies that would have contributed to the accident.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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