Aviation Accident Summary NYC89LA171

NIAGARA FALLS, NY, USA

Aircraft #1

N9238F

HUGHES 369HS

Analysis

DURING A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT OVER THE PARK AREA OF NIAGARA FALLS, THE HELICOPTER FLEW INTO CABLES THAT WERE USED TO TRANSPORT CABLE CARS ACROSS THE GORGE FOR A SKYVIEW OF THE WHIRPOOL. AFTER THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE CABLES, IT JERKED ABOUT. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER ONTO A GOLF COURSE AND THE PASSENGERS JUMPED CLEAR OF THE CRAFT UNHURT. THE PILOT THEN LANDED THE HELICOPTER AND SHUT OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Probable Cause and Findings

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SEE AND AVOID THE CABLES.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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