On July 26, 2001, a Bell 47G-2 (registration N986B) was involved in an aviation accident near Wheeler, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the power transmission line. A factor to the accident was the power transmission line. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter maneuvering for an aerial application flight struck a 42-foot-high power transmission line and subsequently impacted the terrain. The tailboom assembly was found separated from the main wreckage. No pre-impact anomalies were detected.
Accident
While maneuvering during an aerial application flight, a helicopter collided with a power transmission line. The pre-impact height of the power transmission line was approximated to be 42 feet. Following the strike, the helicopter impacted the terrain.
Wreckage and Impact
The tailboom assembly, including the tail-rotor, was discovered approximately 125 feet from the main wreckage. The separation of the tail section indicates a significant impact event during the accident sequence.
Post-Accident Inspection
A thorough post-accident inspection of the helicopter was conducted. No anomalies were found that could be associated with any pre-impact condition. The inspection covered all relevant systems and components, yielding no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction prior to the collision.