SHELBURNE FALLS, MA, USA
N1041B
BELL 47-G4A
THE HELICOPTER WAS FLYING LOW FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING THE TWO PASSENGERS TO OBSERVE THEIR COMPANY'S FIBER OPTIC CABLES. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS TAKING A VIDEO OF THE CABLES DURING THE FLIGHT. THE VIDEO TAPE WAS RECOVERED FROM THE WRECKAGE AND SHOWS THE HELICOPTER IN CONTROLLED FLIGHT, AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 TO 150 FEET AGL. THE VIDEO TAPE SHOWS POWER LINES COMING INTO VIEW, RUNNING PERPENDICULAR TO THE FLIGHT PATH, THE SUBSEQUENT WIRE STRIKE AND THEN THE LOSS OF CONTROL PRIOR TO IMPACT INTO A RIVER THAT RAN PARALLEL TO THE FLIGHT PATH. WHEN THE WIRES CAME INTO VIEW ON THE VIDEO TAPE THE PILOT TOOK NO EVASIVE ACTION IN ORDER TO CHANGE ALTITUDE OR THE HELICOPTER'S FLIGHT PATH TO AVOID CONTACT WITH THE WIRES.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE OBSTACLE CLEARANCE. CONTRIBUTING WAS INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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