SUBLIMITY, OR, USA
N59366
HILLER UH-12D
THE AIRCRAFT WAS LIFTING TREES FROM A FIELD TO A NEARBY TRUCK AND COLLIDED WITH WIRES WHILE LIFTING OFF WITH THE SECOND LOAD. THE PILOT HAD LOOKED THE FIELD OVER PRIOR TO LIFTING HIS FIRST LOAD, BUT HE FAILED TO SEE THE WIRES.
On November 26, 1993, approximately 0820 Pacific standard time (PST), a Hiller UH-12D helicopter, N59366, collided with a power line near Sublimity, Oregon. The commercial pilot was not injured, but the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The FAR Part 133 external load flight, which was operating in visual meteorological conditions, was hauling Christmas trees to a nearby truck at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, who had already picked up one load of trees, he inadvertently allowed the main rotor to contact some unseen wires while lifting off with his second load. The pilot said that he had looked the area over from the air prior to picking up the first load, but he did not notice the wires he ultimately contacted.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM UNMARKED TRANSMISSION WIRES. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, AND UNMARKED WIRES IN THE AREA OF OPERATION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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