Aerospatiale SA315B N42PL

Summary

On 2 May 2024 at about 19:30 local time, a Aerospatiale SA315B registered N42PL, operated by Essential Flight Operations LLC, was involved in an accident near Lewiston, Idaho, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 May 2024 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Lewiston, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

46.4080, -116.9032

Aircraft

Aerospatiale SA315B

Registration

N42PL

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1976

Engines

1

Operator

Essential Flight Operations LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cottonwood → Lewiston

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA138

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a low level aerial application.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, while performing an aerial application on a field, the helicopter struck a set of power lines that he was previously aware of and had been working around during the flight. Following the impact with wires, he initiated a forced landing to a field. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades, transmission, tail rotor drive shaft, and tail boom. The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.