On February 28, 1994, a Bell 47G-3B-1 (registration N4082J) operated by High Country Helicopters was involved in an aviation accident near Hanksville, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S DELAY IN RELEASING HIS TOW LINE WHEN THE LINE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH WIRES. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
After a lineman released the helicopter tow line from a power line, the line blew into guy wires. The pilot attempted to maneuver the line away, lost sight, and the line engaged a guy wire. The helicopter was pulled into a steep bank, and the pilot's late release resulted in impact.
Accident Sequence
During power line construction, a lineman released the helicopter tow line from a power line that was being positioned on a power pole. Immediately after release, the tow line blew back into the power pole guy wires. The pilot did not release the tow line at that time; instead, he attempted to maneuver the tow line away from the guy wires. While performing this maneuver, the pilot lost sight of the tow line. Subsequently, the tow line engaged one of the guy wires. The engaged tow line pulled the helicopter into a steep bank. The pilot then released the tow line, but the release came too late for him to complete a recovery before the helicopter impacted the terrain.
What happened in the 28 Feb 1994 Bell 47G-3B-1 accident near Hanksville, UT?
After a lineman released the helicopter tow line from a power line, the line blew into guy wires. The pilot attempted to maneuver the line away, lost sight, and the line engaged a guy wire. The helicopter was pulled into a steep bank, and the pilot's late release resulted in impact.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 28 Feb 1994 involved a Bell 47G-3B-1, registration N4082J, operated by High Country Helicopters, at Hanksville, UT.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S DELAY IN RELEASING HIS TOW LINE WHEN THE LINE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH WIRES.
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