Accident Overview
A helicopter collided with a cable while flying approximately 25 feet above ground level in the Grand Canyon. The aircraft was conducting an aerial observation flight to survey and acquaint a passenger with the Arizona Strip Wilderness District. The cable, which was about 34 feet above the surface of the Colorado River, contacted the helicopter's main rotor mast, leading to its separation from the fuselage.
Flight Details
The helicopter was engaged in a low-altitude flight as part of an orientation mission. The Phoenix Flight Service Station had previously issued a strong recommendation that pilots avoid flying down into the canyon due to hazards.
Cable Strike
During the flight, the helicopter descended below the cable, which then struck the main rotor mast. The impact caused the mast to separate from the rest of the aircraft. The cable was not marked with any visual warning devices at the time.
Aftermath
In response to this accident, authorities installed orange spherical markers on cables within Grand Canyon National Park to increase visibility and prevent similar incidents.