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.