N2LN

On February 20, 2000, about 1130 eastern standard time, an Aerospatiale SA341G helicopter, N2LN, owned by a private individual impacted with the ground while hovering in an open field near Delray, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from the Willis Gliderport, Boynton Beach, Florida, at an unknown time.

According to the pilot he had approached the field from the west, and came to a stop about halfway into the field, "...6 to 8 above [the] ground...turned 90 degrees to the north stopped...looked west...started a turn into the west...at this time helicopter hesitated to turn and then started to turn east...I believe that I drifted north and didn't realize that there was a barbed wire fence, there I must have hooked right side into fence and lost control."

The FAA inspector's statement stated, "...the pilot...explained that while performing a low hover, he turned the Gazelle 90 degrees to the north and lost control of the aircraft which subsequently caught a landing skid into a barbed wire cattle fence...the main rotor blades contact the ground and were destroyed...no evidence of fire or leakage of fuel or other fluids observed...."