FOLSOM, CA, USA
N7462F
HUGHES 269C
THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER DEPARTED A PRIVATE HELIPORT LOCATED AT THE PILOT'S HOUSE FOR AN AIRBORNE CATTLE HERDING OPERATION. THE PILOT DROPPED HIS PASSENGER OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO DIVERT CATTLE WITH HIS HELICOPTER. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD FLOWN IN THIS AREA FOR ABOUT 24 YEARS AND WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES IN THE AREA. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT AND A WITNESS SAID THE SKY WAS OVERCAST AND THE WIRES BLENDED IN WITH THE GRAY SKY. HE SAID HE ASCENDED TO AN ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WIRES TO DETERMINE HOW TO DESCEND AND MANEUVER TO 'CUT OFF' A STRAY COW. DURING THE DESCENT, THE PILOT SAID HE BECAME 'EXTREMELY SURPRISED TO SEE WIRES ABOUT 40 FEET DEAD AHEAD.' THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TWO OF THE TRANSMISSION WIRES ABOUT 80 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND THEN ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND.
THE PILOT FAILING TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT RESULTING IN THE HELICOPTER COLLIDING WITH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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