Hughes 369 N89ZC

Summary

On 22 August 2018 at about 15:26 local time, a Hughes 369 registered N89ZC, operated by Rotor Blade LLC, was involved in an accident near Ridgeway, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 August 2018 at 15:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Ridgeway, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

41.4011, -78.5614

Aircraft

Hughes 369

Registration

N89ZC

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1981

Engines

1

Operator

Rotor Blade LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

St Marys → St Marys

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

GAA18CA506

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial observation flight. 

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after a high reconnaissance of the area, he descended the helicopter to about 30 ft above power lines to inspect them while flying about 30 to 35 knots. While patrolling, he climbed over an identified crossing line and then initiated a descent. During the descent, the passenger spotted a previously unseen power line in their flightpath, so the pilot "pulled hard aft cyclic with right pedal," but the main rotor blades struck the power line. The helicopter's main rotor system began vibrating, but the pilot was able to land without further incident. 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.