Approach UNDER wires
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 320
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From: Off the Planet
Approach UNDER wires
NTSB Identification: CEN09CA339
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Friday, June 05, 2009 in San Marcos, TX
Aircraft: BELL 47G, registration: N8420E
Injuries: 1 Serious.
The commercial pilot said he was landing the agricultural helicopter at the edge of a large open bean field to pick up communications radios from his ground crew. During his landing approach under power lines he said he saw a vehicle approaching that he had not seen before. The pilot said he then raised the helicopter to allow the vehicle to pass underneath. The tail rotor blades then struck a wire at about 20 feet above the ground and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot said he lost control and the helicopter struck the surface of the bean field and rolled on its side. There was no post crash fire, but the helicopter was substantially damaged. The pilot was seriously injured and was airlifted by HEMS helicopter to a nearby hospital.
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Friday, June 05, 2009 in San Marcos, TX
Aircraft: BELL 47G, registration: N8420E
Injuries: 1 Serious.
The commercial pilot said he was landing the agricultural helicopter at the edge of a large open bean field to pick up communications radios from his ground crew. During his landing approach under power lines he said he saw a vehicle approaching that he had not seen before. The pilot said he then raised the helicopter to allow the vehicle to pass underneath. The tail rotor blades then struck a wire at about 20 feet above the ground and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot said he lost control and the helicopter struck the surface of the bean field and rolled on its side. There was no post crash fire, but the helicopter was substantially damaged. The pilot was seriously injured and was airlifted by HEMS helicopter to a nearby hospital.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Off the Planet
NTSB Identification: CEN09CA359
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Thursday, June 11, 2009 in Stringtown, OK
Aircraft: HILLER UH-12E, registration: N34SD
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The company's president reported that the pilot was "taking off from an area with large bushes and scrubby trees about 500 feet ahead. He believed he was somewhat distracted because of learning of the serious illness of his mother. ...When it appeared he might have difficulty clearing the obstacles to the left, he turned right to pass under the power lines. The tail rotor snagged the lower power line, causing the helicopter to impact the ground... The wreckage remained intact except for portions of the tail rotor and main rotor which broke off after impact." An unidentified witness reported that the helicopter had struck "lines" while conducting agricultural operations, and that the helicopter was "shattered" and "totaled." The caller stated that the helicopter wreckage had been recovered and relocated to Mineral Wells, Texas.
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Thursday, June 11, 2009 in Stringtown, OK
Aircraft: HILLER UH-12E, registration: N34SD
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The company's president reported that the pilot was "taking off from an area with large bushes and scrubby trees about 500 feet ahead. He believed he was somewhat distracted because of learning of the serious illness of his mother. ...When it appeared he might have difficulty clearing the obstacles to the left, he turned right to pass under the power lines. The tail rotor snagged the lower power line, causing the helicopter to impact the ground... The wreckage remained intact except for portions of the tail rotor and main rotor which broke off after impact." An unidentified witness reported that the helicopter had struck "lines" while conducting agricultural operations, and that the helicopter was "shattered" and "totaled." The caller stated that the helicopter wreckage had been recovered and relocated to Mineral Wells, Texas.
