On May 8, 1985, a Hughes 369HS (registration N9EE) operated by Three Rivers Helicopters was involved in an aviation accident near Malvern, AR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A ground crew member released a rope lead line prematurely as the helicopter became airborne during powerline construction. The rope entangled the main rotor, causing loss of control.
Incident Overview
During a powerline construction operation, a helicopter was engaged in a line stringing procedure. A ground crew member responsible for holding a rope lead line released it prematurely as the helicopter became airborne. The nylon rope subsequently entangled the main rotor system, forcing the pilot to lose control of the helicopter.
Sequence of Events
The ground crew member's role was to retain the lead line until the helicopter had cleared the tower where the line stringing was taking place. However, the rope was released early, allowing it to contact the rotating main rotor blades. This entanglement led to a loss of control by the pilot.
Standard Procedure
According to established procedure, the ground crew member should maintain a hold of the lead line until the helicopter has safely passed the tower. This precaution helps prevent the rope from interfering with the rotor system.