N223TV Hughes 269C accident

NTSB FTW90FA164 · 1990-08-24 · SHREVEPORT, LA

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Factual narrative

THE PLT & A PHOTOGRAPHER WERE ON A TRAFFIC WATCH/PHOTO FLT. A REQUEST WAS MADE FOR THE PLT TO LAND IN A PARKING LOT TO DELIVER VIDEO TAPES TO A GROUND CREW. A RELATIVELY NEW GROUND OBSERVER WAS TO HELP KEEP THE HELICOPTER CLEAR OF OBSTACLES. THE PLT SAID HE WAS TOLD THE SELECTED LANDING AREA WAS CLEAR & THAT HE PERFORMED A 'HIGH RECONNAISSANCE CHECK FOR OBSTRUCTIONS.' HOWEVER, DURING AN APPROACH TO LAND AT DUSK, NEITHER THE PLT NOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER SAW POWER LINES THAT CROSSED THE LANDING AREA UNTIL MOMENTS BEFORE THE SKIDS SNAGGED THE POWER LINES. THE HELICOPTER THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND.

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE OBSTRUCTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LACK OF VISUAL QUES DUE TO THE LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DUSK, THE GROUND OBSERVER'S LACK OF ASSISTANCE AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION, AND THE OBSTRUCTION (TRANSMISSION LINE). The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type

Accident

Highest injury

Serious

Weather conditions

Visual Meteorological Cond

Light condition

Dusk

Sky condition

NONE

Ceiling (ft)

0

Visibility (sm)

7

Wind direction

210

Wind speed (kt)

5

Temperature (F)

95

Distance from field

0.0

Aircraft

Sequence of events

Findings