1995-06-04: Hughes 269B — Caldwell, ID

Casualties unknown • Caldwell, ID, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES. FACTORS INCLUDE SUNGLARE ENCOUNTERED WHEN HE TURNED INTO THE SUN.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS RETURNING FROM AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS WHEN HE ELECTED TO LOOK OVER THE NEXT FIELD HE WAS GOING TO SPRAY. HE SAID HIS INTENT WAS TO FLY AROUND A HOUSE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE FIELD AND THEN DROP DOWN TO FLY PARALLEL TO THE POWER LINES ORIENTED EAST-WEST BETWEEN TWO FIELDS. AS HE BANKED AROUND THE HOUSE AND FLEW EAST INTO THE SUN, HE DID NOT SEE THE HOUSE'S POWER POLE AND ASSOCIATED SERVICE LINE. THE ROTORCRAFT IMPACTED THE SERVICE LINE APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AGL AND IMPACTED THE GROUND 150 FEET FURTHER EAST.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-06-04 Hughes 269B accident near Caldwell, ID?

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS RETURNING FROM AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS WHEN HE ELECTED TO LOOK OVER THE NEXT FIELD HE WAS GOING TO SPRAY. HE SAID HIS INTENT WAS TO FLY AROUND A HOUSE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE FIELD AND THEN DROP DOWN TO FLY PARALLEL TO THE POWER LINES ORIENTED EAST-WEST BETWEEN TWO FIELDS. AS HE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-06-04 involved a Hughes 269B, registration N9474F, at Caldwell, ID.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES. FACTORS INCLUDE SUNGLARE ENCOUNTERED WHEN HE TURNED INTO THE SUN.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X03808. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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