On September 6, 2006, a Hughes 369D (registration N812CE) operated by Southern California Edison Company was involved in an aviation accident near Somis, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with wires. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A utility company helicopter conducting an aerial patrol of power lines struck a set of wires, coming to rest about 200 feet north of the severed lines. A witness reported no evasive action before impact.
Accident Description
A helicopter operated by a utility company was on an aerial observation patrol flight of company power lines. The flight was crewed by a pilot and a power line inspector. During the flight, the helicopter collided with power lines.
Witness Account
A ground-based witness located north of the accident site reported observing the helicopter fly directly into the power lines. According to the witness, the helicopter did not take any evasive action prior to the collision.
Wreckage and Site Details
After the collision, the helicopter came to rest approximately 200 feet north of the two severed power lines. The impacted power lines had been suspended from towers that were about 1,763 feet apart and oriented east to west. The helicopter's northerly impact course appeared nearly perpendicular to the orientation of the power lines. At the point of impact, the power lines were about 150 feet above ground level.