ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 44802
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| Date: | Saturday 26 June 2004 |
| Time: | 20:41 |
| Type: |  Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III |
| Owner/operator: | Interstate Helicopters, Inc. |
| Registration: | N27TV |
| MSN: | 3764 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1983 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 6394 hours |
| Engine model: | Rolls-Royce 250-C20J |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Cushing, OK -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Executive |
| Departure airport: | Cushing, OK |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
While maneuvering during a local sightseeing flight, the helicopter impacted power lines, crashed into a river, and came to rest 90 percent submerged in the water approximately 1,500 feet from the power lines. According to the operator, the helicopter was providing sightseeing rides for guests at a birthday party. Approximately 1 hour prior to the accident, a witness observed the accident helicopter flying reckless near his residence. According to the accident flight passengers, the helicopter departed and flew west toward a nearby river. One passenger reported, "Once we arrived [at the river], he descended to within a few feet over the riverbed and then flew up into the power lines." Another passenger, who was seated in the rear center seat and looking out the windscreen, stated he could see the river and the sun out of the windscreen. The passengers did not see the power lines; however, one observed sparks and flying debris after contact with the power lines. The passengers stated the helicopter shook violently and impacted the water. Examination of the helicopter revealed the power lines impacted the helicopter's upper wire cutter, main rotor mast, and main rotor blade pitch links. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to impact with the power lines. The reported sunset on the day of the accident was 3 minutes after the impact with the power lines.
Probable Cause: the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Contributing factors were low altitude flight, sun glare, and the static wires.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB: https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20040630X00890&key=1
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 28-Oct-2008 00:45 | ASN archive | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:24 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 07-Dec-2017 18:06 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Operator, Source, Narrative] |
| 14-Mar-2021 16:18 | TB | Updated [Aircraft type] |
| 14-Mar-2021 16:19 | TB | Updated [Location] |
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