Casualties unknown

1995-04-25: Bell 47D1 (N2202C) — Ardmore, OK

Ardmore, OK, US

On April 25, 1995, a Bell 47D1 (registration N2202C) was involved in an aviation accident near Ardmore, OK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A POWER TRANSMISSION ARRAY STATIC LINE WHEN THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND DUAL (PRIVATE PILOT) STUDENT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A helicopter struck a static line of a power transmission array while departing a clearing during a local training flight, resulting in a vertical descent impact approximately 600 feet beyond the wires.

What happened

The accident occurred during a local training flight intended to prepare a private pilot student for a commercial certificate check ride. The helicopter was operating in a rural area with overhead power transmission infrastructure. During the departure phase from a specific clearing site, the aircraft encountered a static line belonging to a power transmission array that crossed the operational area.

The impact with the static line caused the helicopter to lose controlled flight. The aircraft subsequently entered an uncontrolled vertical descent. It impacted the ground approximately 600 feet beyond the location of the transmission line. No further details regarding injuries or specific aircraft damage are provided in the source record.

The investigation

The available source text does not contain specific findings from a mechanical examination or post-accident inspection of the helicopter components. The narrative focuses solely on the sequence of events leading to the impact with the power line and the subsequent ground collision.

Findings

The primary factor in this accident was the helicopter's contact with the static line of the power transmission array during departure from a clearing. This contact directly led to the loss of control and the vertical descent that resulted in the final impact site being located 600 feet beyond the wires.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X03277. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.