Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an external load lift. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of situational awareness.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airline transport helicopter pilot was assisting an electric utility company in positioning personnel and equipment under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. While lifting an external load, he reported that he had completed the hovering long-line hookup, but forgot that he was directly under high tension power lines. He said that as he started to extend the line the main rotor blades contacted and severed the power lines. The pilot said that his next memory was being on the ground looking at the wreckage. He said the helicopter was operating normally until he contacted the wires. The helicopter sustained damage to the fuselage and rotor system.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 25, 2008, about 1615 Alaska daylight time, a Bell 206L-1 helicopter, N305MH, sustained substantial damage when it collided with power lines about 21 miles northeast of Homer, Alaska. The helicopter was being operated by Maritime Helicopters, Homer, as a visual flight rules (VFR) external load flight in conjunction with a local public utilities contract under Title 14, CFR Part 133, when the accident occurred. The solo airline transport pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. In a written statement dated October 15, the pilot reported that he completed the hover hookup of a long line, and forgot he was directly under high tension power lines. He said he started to lift the line when the main rotor blades contacted and severed the power lines. He reported that his next memory was being on the ground looking at the helicopter wreckage. He said that all helicopter operations were normal until contact with the wires. The helicopter sustained damage to the fuselage and rotor system.