What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2005-10-19 involved a Hughes 369D, registration N268ST, operated by Randall Bozarth, at Avalon, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and obstacle clearance altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines. Factors in the accident were the position of the sun relative to the helicopter's flight path, which lessoned the visual acuity of the pilot, and, the pilot's intentional low…

Helicopter Collides with Power Lines on Approach to Island (N268ST)

On October 19, 2005, a Hughes 369D (registration N268ST) operated by Randall Bozarth was involved in an aviation accident near Avalon, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and obstacle clearance altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

A helicopter on a local flight to an island struck power lines and descended into terrain. A witness reported difficulty seeing the lines due to sun position. No mechanical issues were found.

Accident Overview

A helicopter collided with power lines during flight and subsequently descended into terrain. The pilot was conducting a local personal flight to an island, accompanied by another helicopter.

Witness Account

A witness on a boat, who had just picked up his mooring at an anchorage, reported observing two helicopters arriving from the west. The first helicopter flew over his boat approximately 75 feet above the water. The aircraft continued toward land and began climbing due to cliffs directly off the beach. As it climbed, it impacted power lines. The witness noted that the pilot likely had difficulty seeing the power lines because of the position of the sun.

Flight Conditions

Prior to the impact, the witness did not notice any change in the sound of the helicopter, and it appeared to be under power and under full control of the pilot.

Mechanical Examination

Examination of the helicopter revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions of either the airframe or the engine.

Sun Position Data

The United States Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department reported that on the day of the accident, the sun transit occurred at 1238, and sunset at 1814. At the time of the accident, the sun's disk was 39 degrees above the horizon on a bearing of 215 degrees.

2005-10-19: Hughes 369D (N268ST) — Randall Bozarth — Avalon, CA