Incident Overview
A helicopter conducting a circling approach to a landing zone encountered a series of power anomalies, leading to an emergency descent and subsequent contact with power lines. The event occurred under strong, gusty wind conditions reported by local authorities.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that while circling the landing zone, the helicopter felt as if it were being pushed to the northeast and began to shudder. As a semi truck passed beneath the helicopter, the pilot stated that the helicopter "went limp," followed by activation of the low rotor rpm warning horn. The pilot leveled the helicopter from a slight bank and lowered the collective, which silenced the warning; however, the helicopter still felt "real sluggish."
After maneuvering away from ground personnel, the helicopter lost power again, triggering the low rotor rpm warning a second time. The pilot configured the helicopter for an autorotative profile and recalled flaring just before initial impact. The pilot noted that tail rotor effectiveness was not lost.
Witness Accounts
Medical personnel on board reported noticing power lines during the descent and believed that at their current angle of descent, they were going to catch the wires. Several ground witnesses stated that as the helicopter passed over the semi truck, it lost control and contacted power lines before impacting the ground.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed wire damage to the main rotor and tail boom, as well as substantial damage to the fuselage. Further inspection found no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomaly.