Helicopter Strikes Antenna Guy Wire During Administrative Law Enforcement Flight (N4022D)

Accident Details

A law enforcement officer was piloting a helicopter during an administrative flight when the aircraft struck an antenna guy wire and crashed. The specific nature of the administrative mission and the type of helicopter were not disclosed in the investigation.

Post-Accident Investigation

Following the crash, investigators examined the onboard LORAN (Long Range Navigation) system. The LORAN unit contained recently entered coordinates in close proximity to the accident scene. Investigation of these coordinates led to the discovery of an illegal marijuana field. The source did not indicate whether the pilot had any involvement with the marijuana field.

Pilot's Operational Practices

Interviews with fellow workers revealed that the pilot routinely conducted search missions while on administrative flights. This pattern of behavior was noted by colleagues, but the investigation did not explicitly link this practice to the accident.