What happened
During a flight operation, a performer fell from a trapeze structure that had been rigged beneath the aircraft. The helicopter was maintaining a hover at an altitude of approximately 150 feet above ground level (AGL) when the incident occurred.
The modification required to rig the trapeze below the helicopter had not received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Additionally, the pilot operating the aircraft was not certified to conduct external load operations, which is typically required for such configurations.
The investigation
Post-incident information indicated that the performer had reportedly never performed this specific act before. Reports also suggested that the individual was not in excellent physical condition at the time of the event.
Findings
The incident involved multiple regulatory and operational failures. The primary factors included the lack of FAA authorization for the aircraft modification and the pilot's lack of certification for external load operations. The performer's inexperience with the stunt and physical state were also noted as relevant circumstances.