Helibravo Robinson R44 CS-HDB Accident at Vila Chã de Ourique

Overview and Flight History On 18 June 2007, a Helibravo Robinson R44 helicopter, registration CS-HDB, was operating from Azambuja Aerodrome for agricultural spraying missions. The aircraft had been conducting low-altitude passes over farmland on the north bank of the Tagus River, near the road connecting Azambuja and Santana. The area was crossed by a medium-voltage power line running parallel to the road. The pilot had made multiple passes beneath the cables during the day. ## Accident Sequence During one of the final passes, the pilot was temporarily blinded by the setting sun as it appeared through a break in the clouds. In attempting to avoid the power line, the helicopter’s tail and main rotor struck the cables. The impact caused the cables to break, destroyed one main rotor blade through an electrical discharge, and separated the tail assembly from the tail cone. The aircraft then crashed to the ground about 30 meters from the point of collision, coming to rest on its left side. ## Damage and Injuries The pilot, the sole occupant, exited the aircraft unharmed. The helicopter sustained severe damage to the main rotor, tail assembly, fuselage, and spraying system, and was considered a total loss. No third-party damage was reported. The accident occurred in flat agricultural terrain with good visibility and light to moderate winds from the west.