Accident Summary
On August 5, 2015, at approximately 1705 central daylight time, a Hughes 269B helicopter, registration N9427F, struck a power line while in cruise flight near Atkinson, Illinois. The helicopter was destroyed in a postimpact fire. The pilot, who was the registered owner, sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The local flight was believed to have originated from the pilot's residence near Genesco, Illinois, at an unknown time.
Witness Accounts
One witness working on his property heard the helicopter approaching, then heard a loud "pop" and saw a broken power line overhead. He turned to see the helicopter wreckage in a nearby field engulfed in fire and immediately responded, removing the pilot from the burning wreckage. Another witness was drawn by a loud noise and observed the helicopter briefly in flight before it impacted the ground in a level attitude, with extensive ground fire following. A third witness saw the helicopter flying about 20 feet above soybean fields before it went out of sight; she later heard emergency vehicles responding.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The pilot was hospitalized for several months with serious burns sustained during the postaccident fire and did not recall the accident flight. The helicopter was destroyed; only the engine, main transmission, and some cockpit instruments remained identifiable.
Postaccident Examination
Federal Aviation Administration inspectors conducted an onsite survey. The helicopter had struck a north/south power line approximately 184 feet northeast of the main wreckage. The line was about 40 feet above ground. A debris path extended about 98 feet southwest into a soybean field. Examination of the engine revealed internal continuity; compression and suction were noted on all cylinders when the crankshaft was rotated. Both magnetos and ignition harnesses were fire-damaged and untestable. Spark plug electrodes had heavy combustion deposits. The oil strainer contained clean oil; the mechanical fuel pump functioned manually. All fuel lines remained connected to the flow divider. No anomalies precluding normal operation were found.
Meteorological Conditions
Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The nearest reporting station, Quad City International Airport (MLI) about 24 nautical miles west, reported at 1652: wind 50° at 8 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 28°C, dew point 17°C, altimeter 29.97 inches of mercury. According to the U.S. Naval Observatory, the sun was approximately 34° above the horizon to the west-southwest (263°) at accident time; sunset was at 2013.