On June 16, 2001, a Hughes 369HS (registration N4467V) was involved in an aviation accident near Mountain View, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain control while hovering out of ground effect. A factor was the wind gusts. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
While attempting to pick up a passenger from a transmission tower, a helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover after a sudden wind shift, causing the main rotor to strike the tower and the helicopter to fall to the ground.
Accident Details
During powerline maintenance work, a pilot lost control of a helicopter, resulting in the main rotor blades contacting a transmission line tower and the helicopter falling to the ground. The pilot, who had performed similar operations on numerous occasions, flew to the tower to pick up a passenger engaged in maintenance. The pilot placed one of the helicopter's skids on the tower, and the passenger began boarding. On this occasion, however, a gust of wind was experienced, and the wind direction suddenly shifted. Despite the pilot's efforts to maintain control, the helicopter dynamically rolled over, causing a main rotor blade to strike the tower. Thereafter, the pilot lost total control, and the helicopter fell approximately 90 feet to the ground. No mechanical malfunctions were reported.