N111AD Hughes 369D accident

NTSB WPR22LA078 · 2021-12-21 · Strawberry, AZ

Factual narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, during an approach to an off-airport construction project landing zone, the helicopter struck a static wire that had been recently positioned above the landing area. The helicopter’s main rotor blades contacted the wire which resulted in substantial damage to the blades. The pilot was unaware of the static wire and did not observe it during the approach. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunction or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static wire during approach. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type: Accident
Highest injury: None
Weather conditions: Visual Meteorological Cond
Light condition: Day
Sky condition: NONE
Ceiling (ft): 0
Visibility (sm): 10
Wind direction: 60
Wind speed (kt): 4
Temperature (F): 48
Nearest airport: N/A
Distance from field: 0.0
Airport elevation: 5693

Aircraft

Registration	Make	Model	Damage	FAR part
N111AD	HUGHES	369D	SUBS	091

Sequence of events

#	Occurrence	Phase
1	Approach Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) defining	Cruise

Findings

Finding
Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot	cause
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained	cause
Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Effect on operation	cause