Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN11CA509

Temple, OK, USA

Aircraft #1

N118TV

BELL 206B

Analysis

The pilot said that he positioned the helicopter behind a moving truck as it was traveling down the highway to film the contents in the truck's bed. Unaware that terrain was rising, he observed a static power line across the helicopter's path at the last second. He attempted to avoid the power line by flying underneath it; however, the main rotor mast impacted a wire. He performed a successful autorotation to the ground. The helicopter's tail boom, tail rotor, vertical stabilizer, and main rotor control linkages sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

While flying a film director and camera man, the pilot positioned the helicopter behind a moving truck to film the contents in the truck's bed. Unaware that terrain was rising, the pilot observed a static power line across the helicopter's path at the last second. The pilot attempted to avoid the power line by flying underneath it; however, the main rotor mast impacted a wire. The pilot was able to perform a successful autorotation to the ground. The helicopter's tail boom, tail rotor, vertical stabilizer, and main rotor control linkages sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from static power lines.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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