Pilot Debrief

BELL UH-1F near Concrete, WA — 2012-06-26

Final reportWPR12LA279
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Date
2012-06-26
Location
Concrete, WA, USA
Aircraft
BELL UH-1F
Registration
N4582D
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

Arcing of an energized electrical power line to the external long line and the conduct of electrical energy to ground personnel.

NTSB narrative

The operator reported that the pilot was positioning a concrete bucket as an external load attached to a long line. At the end of the long line was a remote hook that was activated electrically from the cockpit. The pilot maneuvered the concrete bucket to the work location, which placed the long line 15-20 feet from a known energized power line. The energized electrical power line arced to the long line, and electrical energy was conducted down the remote hook circuit to the bucket, seriously injuring a construction worker who was ground handling the bucket.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Environmental
First missed decision gate
Maintain greater distance from power lines during external load operations.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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