Incident Details
A pilot and a passenger were en route to their destination when they became aware of a line of thunderstorms approaching from behind. The pilot decided to make a precautionary landing due to the convective weather in the area, intending to wait for the line of storms to move further from their route. During the approach to the landing area, the aircraft struck a power line approximately 35 feet above ground level (AGL). The pilot then executed a run-on landing, during which the aircraft impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the landing skids, rotor blades, and tail boom.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that he had been aware of the thunderstorms from watching a television weather broadcast but thought the line of storms had moved past his route of flight when he departed. He reported that there were no Flight Service Station (FSS) or Direct User Access Terminal System (DUATS) pilot briefings given for the aircraft in question. Additionally, the pilot stated that there were no aircraft mechanical problems related to the accident.