Pilot Debrief

HUGHES 369D near Fall Branch, TN — 2011-12-21

Final reportERA12CA119
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Date
2011-12-21
Location
Fall Branch, TN, USA
Aircraft
HUGHES 369D
Registration
N500TN
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to continue a visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a wire strike.

NTSB narrative

Prior to departure on a positioning flight, the pilot checked the weather and determined that visual meteorological conditions existed at both his departure and destination airports. However, while the pilot was following a highway in cruise flight at 400 feet above ground level, the ceiling rapidly became lower, and the pilot encountered instrument meteorological conditions. Moments later, while cruising at an airspeed of 65 knots, the pilot saw marker balls, which indicated that power lines were directly in front of the helicopter. The pilot lowered the collective and entered a right diving turn in order to avoid the wires, but one of the main rotor blades made contact. The rotor speed remained within limits, but the helicopter began to vibrate, so the pilot decided to land in a nearby field. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that the main rotor blade that had made contact with the power line was substantially damaged.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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