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Location:
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Yakima, Washington
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Accident Number:
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WPR23LA105
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Date & Time:
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February 5, 2023, 16:30 Local
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Registration:
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N7452F
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Aircraft:
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Hughes 269C
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
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Injuries:
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2 None
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 91: General aviation - Personal
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|
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Analysis
The pilot reported that, while flying low along the river, the helicopter collided with an unseen wire. The pilot subsequently accomplished a landing in the shallow water of the river without further incident. A main rotor blade was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to see and avoid a powerline while flying at low altitude over a river.
Findings
Personnel issues - Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Personnel issues - Monitoring environment - Pilot
Aircraft - Altitude - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues - Wire - Effect on operation
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Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)
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Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Private
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Age:
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50,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-engine land
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Seat Occupied:
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Left
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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3-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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None
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Second Pilot Present:
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|
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
|
|
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Medical Certification:
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Class 3 With waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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March 26, 2022
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Occupational Pilot:
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No
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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October 3, 2022
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Flight Time:
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173 hours (Total, all aircraft), 31 hours (Total, this make and model), 91 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 28 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 28 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
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Passenger Information
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Certificate:
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|
Age:
|
|
|
Airplane Rating(s):
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|
Seat Occupied:
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Right
|
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
|
|
Restraint Used:
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3-point
|
|
Instrument Rating(s):
|
|
Second Pilot Present:
|
|
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Instructor Rating(s):
|
|
Toxicology Performed:
|
|
|
Medical Certification:
|
|
Last FAA Medical Exam:
|
|
|
Occupational Pilot:
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No
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
|
|
|
Flight Time:
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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Hughes
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Registration:
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N7452F
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|
Model/Series:
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269C
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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|
Year of Manufacture:
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1976
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Amateur Built:
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|
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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760522
|
|
Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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3
|
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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January 2, 2023 100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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2050 lbs
|
|
Time Since Last Inspection:
|
|
Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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|
Airframe Total Time:
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3092 Hrs as of last inspection
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Engine Manufacturer:
|
Lycoming
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ELT:
|
Not installed
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Engine Model/Series:
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HIO-360-D1A
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|
Registered Owner:
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|
Rated Power:
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190 Horsepower
|
|
Operator:
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|
Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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None
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC) Condition of Light:
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Day
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|
Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KYKM,1053 ft msl Distance from Accident Site:
|
10 Nautical Miles
|
|
Observation Time:
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00:53 Local Direction from Accident Site:
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147°
|
|
Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Visibility
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9 miles
|
|
Lowest Ceiling:
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Broken / 12000 ft AGL
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Visibility (RVR):
|
|
|
Wind Speed/Gusts:
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3 knots /
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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/
|
|
Wind Direction:
|
160°
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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/
|
|
Altimeter Setting:
|
29.91 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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6°C / 3°C
|
|
Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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|
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Departure Point:
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Yakima, WA (KYKM)
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Yakima, WA (KYKM)
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Type of Clearance:
|
VFR
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|
Departure Time:
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15:20 Local
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Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 None
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Aircraft Damage:
|
Substantial
|
|
Passenger Injuries:
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1 None
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
|
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Ground Injuries:
|
|
Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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|
Total Injuries:
|
2 None
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Latitude, Longitude:
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46.709655,-120.6724(est)
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
|
Rho, Paul
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|
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Dave Hartson; FAA; WA
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|
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Original Publish Date:
|
March 23, 2023 Investigation Class:
|
4
|
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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|
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106693
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