Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a low altitude operation.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to hover over cherry trees in attempt to dry off the orchard following a rain shower. While maneuvering about 30 ft above ground level (agl) at an airspeed of about 20 mph, parallel to power lines on his right side, he performed a turn, and the tail rotor blades contacted and severed the adjacent power lines. The pilot felt a tail-rotor imbalance and opted to land immediately. During the accident sequence, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that precluded normal operation.