History of Flight
On October 2, 2018, at about 1315 central daylight time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, registered N5187S, was destroyed in an accident near McDougal, Arkansas. The helicopter was conducting an external load operation under 14 CFR Part 133, with two linemen tethered for short-haul utility line work. After a lunch break, the helicopter departed from a grass landing zone.
One lineman reported communicating with the pilot via Bluetooth. While hovering near a power line structure, a loud boom and metallic crunch were heard, and the short-haul lines released from the helicopter. The helicopter descended and impacted the ground beneath the structure.
The lineman noted that the pilot's demeanor was typically calm, but before the incident he was not calm and hesitated in responding. The helicopter was described as "getting choppy and moving around a lot," and the tail was seen "darting around" in its shadow.
Weather Information
Weather observations from nearby airports indicated visual flight rules conditions. Winds at the time were from the southwest, increasing to gusts of 19 knots. At Corning Municipal Airport, winds gusted to 17 knots at 1335. Radar showed light to moderate precipitation moving west to east over the accident site, coinciding with wind gusts. There were no lightning flashes.
The pilot had checked weather before the flight, but it is unknown which products were used. A search of ForeFlight data showed no requests or reviews by the pilot.
Wreckage and Impact
The main wreckage came to rest north of wooden and steel utility poles in a flooded soybean field, with about 2 feet of water due to prior heavy rain. The helicopter impacted on its right side, consistent with nearly vertical forces. Components including main rotor blades, tail rotor, tail boom, and right skid were found scattered around.
Before ground impact, the main rotor blades struck the top of a steel utility pole, causing an inward indentation. The tower cap plate was separated, with a gash on its side.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy of the pilot determined the cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries and drowning. Toxicology testing detected diphenhydramine (0.037 µg/mL in blood) and tramadol (0.058 µg/mL in cavity blood), along with their metabolites. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine; tramadol is an opioid analgesic with warnings about impairing hazardous tasks.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot was fatally injured. Two linemen sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was destroyed in the accident.
Aircraft Information
The helicopter, a Hughes 369D, had a pending re-registration from N5187S to N454AR with the FAA, and the tail number had been repainted to reflect the new registration at the time of the accident.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.