Accident Details
A helicopter was conducting a flight to take photographs of an apartment complex when it struck the static line of a high voltage transmission line. The owner of the apartment complex was accompanying the pilot on the flight. After the photography, the helicopter was scheduled to be used for passenger sightseeing flights as part of a promotional event for a restaurant.
Sequence of Events
According to the investigation, the rear of the helicopter made contact with the static line. Following the strike, the aircraft pitched downward and impacted a hillside. The helicopter then continued its crash trajectory onto Highway 68, where it came to rest.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions or failures. The investigation focused on the circumstances of the wire strike but did not assign a specific probable cause beyond the sequence described.