Primary finding
Probable cause
The altitude/clearance not maintained from transmission wire(s) by the pilot during an unknown phase of flight. The transmission wire(s) were a contributing factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
A helicopter, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on impact with transmission line(s) during a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The accident was not reported by the pilot and was discovered by the Federal Aviation Administration on June 4, 2004. The National Transportation Safety Board did not receive a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report from the pilot.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 4, 2003, at 2000 central daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N2301F, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on impact with power line(s) near Argusville, North Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Argusville, North Dakota, at an unknown time. The 1991 Robinson R22 Beta, serial number 1822, was registered to the pilot on July 2, 2003. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating and a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. The pilot was issued a third class airman medical certificate on April 2, 2003, with the following restriction: "must wear corrective lenses." A total civilian flight time of 300 hours was reported on the pilot's last airman medical certificate application. The accident was not reported by the pilot and was discovered by the Federal Aviation Administration on June 4, 2004. The National Transportation Safety Board did not receive a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report from the pilot.