ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 168915
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Tuesday 19 August 2014 |
| Time: | 11:00 |
| Type: |  McDonnell Douglas MD 500E (369E) |
| Owner/operator: | Rotorworks Llc |
| Registration: | N444RS |
| MSN: | 0441E |
| Year of manufacture: | 1990 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3824 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C20B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 20 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Survey |
| Departure airport: | Tuscaloosa, AL (TCL) |
| Tuscaloosa, AL (TCL) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot and passenger were inspecting a span of high-tension powerlines for damage after a recent storm. Recorded data showed that the helicopter departed and proceeded along the left side of the span at an altitude roughly consistent with the height of the suspended wires. The helicopter’s last recorded position was about 400 ft laterally and about 25 ft below the point where it ultimately contacted and severed the uppermost wire of the span, which was about 150 ft above ground level. The severed wire was located on the right side of the span, whereas the helicopter was flying on the left. The helicopter’s ground track transitioned from left to right and back across the span near transmission towers earlier during the flight; however, there were no transmission towers located in the immediate vicinity of the accident site. Portions of the wreckage came to rest directly below the severed wire, and oriented along a debris path to the right of and along the helicopter’s previous direction of travel. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or failures before the helicopter contacted the wire.
Probable Cause: An inadvertent collision with a utility wire for reasons that could not be determined from recorded data and examination of the helicopter and accident site.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
FAA register: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N444RS
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 20-Aug-2014 07:47 | gerard57 | Added |
| 20-Aug-2014 12:24 | Anon. | Updated [Operator] |
| 20-Aug-2014 15:53 | Geno | Updated [Registration, Cn, Source] |
| 20-Aug-2014 16:09 | Aerossurance | Updated [Location, Narrative] |
| 20-Aug-2014 20:35 | Aerossurance | Updated [Source] |
| 05-Sep-2014 17:28 | Aerossurance | Updated [Time, Nature, Source, Narrative] |
| 23-Sep-2016 12:52 | Aerossurance | Updated [Time, Location, Narrative] |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:28 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 30-Nov-2017 19:00 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Operator, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation