Accident Overview
On November 26, 2014, at approximately 2321 central standard time, a McDonnell Douglas Model 900 helicopter, registration N902LC, sustained substantial damage when its main rotor blades struck a power line during landing near Highlandville, Missouri. The helicopter was operated by Air Methods Corporation under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an air medical flight. The pilot was executing an off-airport landing to a field to pick up a patient. The pilot sustained minor injuries; the two medical crew members were not injured.
Flight Details
The helicopter was registered to Lester E Cox Medical Centers. The flight originated from the Cox Medical Center facility in Springfield, Missouri, about 2310. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was operated on a company visual flight rules flight plan.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported completing two orbits of the accident scene and selecting a large nearby field as the landing site. Using the helicopter's search and landing lights, the pilot identified a pole at the southeast corner of the field with wires running toward the north. However, at about 20 feet above ground level, the pilot identified a second set of power lines paralleling the helicopter's flight path. He observed those power lines in his peripheral vision from under the night vision goggles. He attempted to move the helicopter to the left to avoid them, but the main rotor blades inadvertently struck one of the lines. The pilot maintained control and landed safely.
Damage Assessment
A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to three of the main rotor blades. The remaining two rotor blades sustained minor damage. Debris from the power line struck and broke the pilot's door window. The pilot did not report any failures or malfunctions with the helicopter before impacting the power lines.