U.S. Customs Service Helicopter Collision with Unmarked Wires (USA)

Incident Overview and Witness Account A helicopter registered to the U.S. Army and operated by the U.S. Customs Service collided with unmarked wires located 82 feet above the Altamaha River. A witness positioned approximately 5 miles south of the accident site reported hearing the aircraft fly overhead toward the northeast, up the river, at about 1030. The witness noted that the helicopter was traveling faster than most helicopters and flying very low at treetop level. A power outage occurred at 1033, consistent with the time of the collision with the wires. ## Operational Factors The pilot in command did not complete a risk assessment worksheet for the assigned mission, and the mission was not approved by the approving authority. The co-pilot's injuries were consistent with being on the flight controls at the time of impact.