10 Jul 2010: BELL OH-58A — NORTH STAR HELICOPTER INC

10 Jul 2010: BELL OH-58A — NORTH STAR HELICOPTER INC

No fatalities • Roswell, NM, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

In a statement provided by the commercial pilot, during the aerial application flight, the pilot scouted the application area for transmission wires. He noted their locations and began to disperse the applicant. While flying east, the rising sun momentarily disoriented the pilot resulting in a collision with a transmission wire. The pilot performed a forced landing to an open area. An inspection of the helicopter revealed damage to the main rotor pitch change links and swash plate. The pilot confirmed that there were no malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter prior to the accident.

Contributing factors

  • cause Awareness of condition
  • Effect on personnel
  • cause Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 110/03kt, vis 10sm

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