GAA19CA039

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude in hilly terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to determine the airplane’s altitude due to sun glare.

The pilot reported that, while maneuvering at low altitude along a highway, the sun was in line with the helicopter's direction of travel and in his eyes. When the helicopter was about 200 ft above ground level, the main rotor blades struck three power lines strung across the highway. He executed an emergency landing without further incident. The pilot added that the unmarked wires crossed the highway from behind one hill to behind an adjacent hill on the other side of the highway and that the power line poles were not visible due to blocking terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

The helicopter pilot reported that, while maneuvering at a low altitude the main rotor blades struck power lines. He executed an emergency landing without further incident. The pilot added that the power lines were concealed by the sun and that the power lines were not annotated in his VFR sectional chart. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.