Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 N350ET

Summary

On 22 December 2005 at about 19:19 local time, a Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 registered N350ET, operated by Robert L. Banks, was involved in an accident near Jasper, Alabama, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 December 2005 at 19:19

Classification

Accident

Location

Jasper, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

33.8850, -87.1972

Aircraft

Eurocopter France AS-350-B2

Registration

N350ET

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Robert L. Banks

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Double Springs → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL06CA026

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain a visual look out, and proper altitude clearance during a low level flight, resulting in an in-flight collision with a power line.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was in cruise flight at 400 feet AGL looking for a bridge that crossed a river. The pilot stated that he did not maintain a visual look out and was not familiar with the area. Examination of the accident site revealed the helicopter collided with an overhead ground wire near Black Water Creek in-between Alabama Power Structure 51 and 52. The pilot stated that he maintained control of the helicopter, and flew the helicopter to his house and landed. Examination of the helicopter revealed it received structural damage to the nose, windscreen, lower chin bubble, overhead window, left door post and cabin roof. The pilot called an employee on a cell phone. The employee met him at his house after landing the helicopter and transported the pilot to a local area hospital. The pilot's right middle finger was amputated due to injuries sustained during the wire strike. The passenger was not injured. The pilot stated the helicopter did not have any mechanical problems before the in-flight collision with the power lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.