Summary
On September 09, 2003, a Hiller UH12E (N9792C) was involved in an incident near Kekaha, HI. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires due to an inadequate visual lookout.
On September 9, 2003, at 1215 Hawaiian standard time, a restricted category Hiller UH-12E helicopter, N9792C, collided with power lines during aerial application operations near Kekaha, Hawaii. Murray Ag, Inc., the registered owner, was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The helicopter sustained substantial damage; the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight departed a local field at 1200. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was returning to the service truck for another load [of chemicals]. At the top of a ridge, approximately 500 feet mean sea level, there were two power lines of which he was unaware.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX03CA284. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9792C.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires due to an inadequate visual lookout.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On September 9, 2003, at 1215 Hawaiian standard time, a restricted category Hiller UH-12E helicopter, N9792C, collided with power lines during aerial application operations near Kekaha, Hawaii. Murray Ag, Inc., the registered owner, was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The helicopter sustained substantial damage; the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight departed a local field at 1200. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was returning to the service truck for another load [of chemicals]. At the top of a ridge, approximately 500 feet mean sea level, there were two power lines of which he was unaware. During a descent at 60 knots, the helicopter impacted the top wire "about the middle of the bubble." As a result, it pitched forward and the main rotor blade cut the wire and tail boom off in sequence. The helicopter began spinning to the right and the pilot performed an autorotation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX03CA284