Accident Details
A helicopter conducting an aerial application flight struck a set of power lines during the final pass toward the east. The pilot had previously surveyed the field and observed the power lines along the eastern border. The application was completed uneventfully until the collision.
After striking the lines, the helicopter impacted the ground, nosed over, and rolled onto its right side. The fuselage and main rotor system sustained substantial damage.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he did not see the power lines silhouetted against the grey sky until just before the collision. He performed an evasive maneuver in an attempt to descend below the lines. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Flight Experience
This was the pilot's second revenue flight, as he had recently been hired as an apprentice.