ATHENS, OH, USA
N49651
BELL 206
DURING FLIGHT, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT REDUCED VISIBILITY TO LESS THAN 1 MILE. HE STATED THAT BECAUSE OF HIS REDUCED GROUND CLEARANCE AND VISIBILITY, HE DECIDED TO TURN AROUND AND GO BACK TO BETTER WEATHER CONDITIONS. MOMENTS AFTER HE MADE THE DECISION, THE SKID OF THE HELICOPTER HIT A WIRE. THE HELICOPTER TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE WIRE(S). THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION. THE HELICOPTER MADE APPROXIMATELY TWO AND THREE QUARTER TURNS BEFORE CONTACTING THE GROUND.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO VISUALLY ACQUIRE AND MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE POWERLINE(S). CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
