NTSB Final Report: Elberon, VA
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Location:
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Elberon, Virginia
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Accident Number:
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ERA23LA326
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Date & Time:
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August 5, 2023, 12:33 Local
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Registration:
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N353AH
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Aircraft:
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Hughes 369
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Low altitude operation/event
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Injuries:
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2 Serious
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 133: Rotorcraft ext. load
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Analysis
The purpose of the rotorcraft external load flight was to spray water from the helicopter and wash some outside insulators that were suspended from power line structure arms. During the wash, the crew heard a bang, and the helicopter descended into trees. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage after the accident and observed substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor blades. The inspector also observed damage to the power line structure arm that was consistent with main rotor blade contact. The inspector did not find evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter, nor did the operator report any. Based on this information, it is likely that the helicopter’s main rotor struck the power line structure while the pilot was maneuvering in close proximity to it.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line structure arm, which resulted in main rotor blade contact.
Findings
Personnel issues - Task monitoring/vigilance - Pilot
Aircraft - Main rotor blade system - Not specified
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Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)
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Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial; Flight instructor; Private
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Age:
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55,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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Front
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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None
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Restraint Used:
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4-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Airplane; Helicopter
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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April 3, 2023
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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July 19, 2022
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Flight Time:
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7375 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3924 hours (Total, this make and model), 7130 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 146 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 74 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
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Other flight crew Information
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Certificate:
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Age:
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Seat Occupied:
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None
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Restraint Used:
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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Occupational Pilot:
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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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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N353AH
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Model/Series:
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369 D
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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1981
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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811079D
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Landing Gear Type:
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High skid
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Seats:
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3
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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April 18, 2023 Continuous airworthiness
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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3000 lbs
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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10 Hrs
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Engines:
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1 Turbo shaft
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Airframe Total Time:
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20507 Hrs at time of accident
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Rolls-Royce
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ELT:
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Not installed
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Engine Model/Series:
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250-C20B
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Registered Owner:
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TVPX AIRCRAFT SOLUTIONS INC TRUSTEE
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Rated Power:
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420 Horsepower
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Operator:
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HAVERFIELD INTERNATIONAL INC
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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Rotorcraft external load (133)
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Operator Does Business As:
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Operator Designator Code:
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HXFL
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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AKQ,105 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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10 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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12:54 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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253°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Few / 2500 ft AGL
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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/ Turbulence Type
Forecast/Actual:
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None / None
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Wind Direction:
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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N/A / N/A
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Altimeter Setting:
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29.98 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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29°C / 22°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Wakefield, VA (AKQ)
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Elberon, VA
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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12:09 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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2 Serious
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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2 Serious
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Latitude, Longitude:
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37.031619,-76.808425
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Gretz, Robert
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Nikolas Kubli; FAA/FSDO; Richmond, VA Nick Shepler; Rolls-Royce; Indanapolis, IN
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Original Publish Date:
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October 5, 2023 Investigation Class:
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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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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192811
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), established in 1967, is an independent federal agency mandated by Congress through the Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to investigate transportation accidents, determine the probable causes of the accidents, issue safety recommendations, study transportation safety issues, and evaluate the safety effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation. The NTSB makes public its actions and decisions through accident reports, safety studies, special investigation reports, safety recommendations, and statistical reviews.
The Independent Safety Board Act, as codified at 49 U.S.C. Section 1154(b), precludes the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an incident or accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report. A factual report that may be admissible under 49 U.S.C. § 1154(b) is available here.
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