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| Date: | Tuesday 4 January 1994 |
| Time: | 10:20 LT |
| Type: |  Bell 206B JetRanger |
| Owner/operator: | Southwest Helicopters, Inc. |
| Registration: | N771GM |
| MSN: | 2246 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1977 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 7041 hours |
| Engine model: | ALLISON 250-C20B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 4 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Coolidge Dam, AZ -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Survey |
| Departure airport: | Kearny, AZ (E67) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
After flying uneventfully for about 1.5 hrs, the pilot was directed to reposition the helicopter to another portion of a wildlife population survey flight area. While cruising en route, between 130 and 180 feet agl, the helicopter collided with an unmarked power line and crashed. A postimpact fire erupted which destroyed the helicopter. The State of AZ, Dept. of Fish & Game, had contracted for its personnel to be transported via helicopter over mountainous terrain on the survey flight. A mission requirement was to fly within 200 feet of ground level. Prior to departure, the pilot had prepared himself regarding obstructions in the survey area. The accident power lines were depicted on the sectional chart. Several pilots reported that the lines were extremely difficult to observe. The helicopter was not equipped with a wire strike protection system.
Probable Cause: the pilot's selection of a cruise altitude insufficient to ensure adequate obstacle clearance and his inadequate visual lookout. A factor in the accident was the inconspicuousness of the power lines.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX94LA090
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:24 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 10-Apr-2024 09:22 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Source, Narrative, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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