What happened
The pilot was operating a helicopter in support of scenic flight tours over a river. The objective was to execute a landing approach toward a sandbar located in the center of the waterway. Prior to initiating the final segment of the approach, the pilot reported scanning the area for potential hazards at an elevation of 300 feet and confirmed that no wires were visible.
The aircraft then executed a turn and began a slow descent toward the target landing zone. At an altitude of approximately 10 feet above the surface and traveling at a speed of 20 mph, the helicopter collided with a cable. This cable was part of an overhead trolley system used for crossing the river. The impact occurred during the final phase of the landing maneuver.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's account of the approach and the physical evidence at the site. The pilot stated that he had performed a visual scan for wires while at 300 feet elevation and did not detect any obstructions. Despite this report, the aircraft struck a cable associated with the river crossing infrastructure.
Findings
The collision was caused by the helicopter striking a cable used for an overhead trolley system. The pilot's visual scan at higher altitude failed to identify the hazard, which was likely obscured or not visible until the lower approach phase. The incident highlights the risks of low-altitude operations in areas with utility infrastructure.