Accident
A helicopter was damaged during a forced landing after striking a power transmission line while repositioning for a filming operation. The incident occurred as the pilot was flying above a highway and approached a hill.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, he was flying above a highway and repositioning for a filming operation. He approached a hill and climbed to an altitude of approximately 100 feet above ground level (agl). After cresting the hill, he scanned the area ahead. He noticed a series of power transmission poles paralleling the right side of the road ahead, but did not see any on the left. The pilot descended to approximately 30 feet agl to continue to follow the road. As he leveled out, at approximately 40 knots, the helicopter struck a power transmission line that stretched across the road. The pilot stated that he saw a "flash," and felt the helicopter begin to "vibrate and shake." He stated that he had cyclic and collective control, and attempted a forced landing on the road.
Post-Impact Sequence
The helicopter impacted the road, slid approximately 50 yards into the right side ditch. When the helicopter came to a stop, it rocked up on its nose, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. As the main rotor assembly pitched backward, the main rotor blades severed the tail boom, and then the main rotor hub and blade assembly separated from the mast. The helicopter remained upright and on its landing skids.