WILLIAMSON, WV, USA
N51516
HUGHES 500D
THE PLT REPORTED THAT AS THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF FROM AN OPEN FILED, A SEVERE VIBRATION WAS EXPERIENCED AND THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED TO TERRAIN IMPACT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE ROTOR BLADES HAD CONTACTED AN UNMARKED WIRE WHICH CROSSED NEAR THE EDGE OF THE FIELD. A PORTION OF ONE ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER AND TRAVELED APRX 75 YARDS PRIOR TO CONTACTING A PARKED CAR.THE PLT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS OF THE HELICOPTER AND THAT SUN GLARE WAS NOT A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE WIRE WHICH CROSSED THE END OF THE FIELD IN WHICH HE WAS TAKING OFF.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
