Accident Overview
A helicopter performing low-level aerial operations for cattle herding struck a phone line and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to herd cattle, and during the operation the helicopter descended from approximately 15 feet above ground level (AGL) after the main rotor blades became entangled in the line.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, the helicopter was maneuvering to keep the cattle close together. While focusing on the herd, the pilot did not notice a phone line in the flight path. The main rotor blades contacted the lines, which then became entangled in the main rotor head. The entanglement caused the helicopter to lose altitude and descend from roughly 15 feet AGL, impacting the terrain hard.
Damage
The hard impact collapsed the skids and resulted in substantial damage to both the tail rotor and main rotor blades. The helicopter's structural integrity was compromised in those areas.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The incident occurred solely due to the inadvertent contact with the phone line during the low-level maneuvering required for the cattle herding operation.