Incident Overview
A Bell Helicopter 206L-3 struck an unmarked single-strand power cable while maneuvering over a vegetated dry flat sandy wash. The pilot reported that he had just completed a 360-degree right turn at the request of a passenger and was approximately 185 degrees into a second turn when the helicopter collided with the wire.
Collision and Pilot Response
Upon impact, the pilot observed a bright electrical flash in the area of the aircraft's windshield center post. He immediately initiated an autorotation from an altitude of about 80 feet above ground level (AGL) and an indicated airspeed of approximately 60 knots. The terrain below consisted of a dry, flat sandy wash covered with vegetation.
Crash Landing and Damage
The helicopter made a hard landing, causing the skid-type landing gear to collapse. Subsequently, the aircraft rolled over onto its right side. The pilot stated that he did not see the wires before the collision. The wires were strung across the wash, with their support poles masked by canyon walls on each side.
Mechanical Status
The pilot did not report any mechanical failure or malfunction. The aircraft was a Bell Helicopter 206L-3; registration details were not specified in the report.