Wire strike causes serious incident for Bell 206B-3 in Sabah

Casualties unknown • MY

A medical transport helicopter experienced a wire strike while attempting an emergency landing on a football field in Kota Marudu, resulting in damage to the rotor hub.

What happened

On 23 November 2021, a Bell 206B-3 helicopter, registration 9M-AWD, was performing a Flying Doctor Service mission in the Kota Marudu region of Sabah, Malaysia. While cruising at 3,000 feet, the pilot identified that the rear left passenger door was not properly secured. To mitigate the safety risk to the four medical officers on board, the pilot decided to perform an immediate landing at a nearby location.

A football field at SMK Kota Marudu was selected as the landing site. During the approach, the pilot conducted necessary checks for a confined area landing. However, as the aircraft descended to approximately 20 feet, it struck an electrical wire running across the center of the field. The impact caused the cable to snap and resulted in a vibration throughout the aircraft. Despite the strike, the pilot managed to complete the landing safely. There were no injuries to the five people on board.

The investigation

The AAIB investigation focused on the circumstances leading to the collision and the condition of the aircraft and landing site. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance and the pilot's decision-making process. The inspection of the landing site revealed a single electrical wire, less than one centimeter in diameter, stretched between two poles across the field. The investigation also confirmed that the aircraft's main rotor hub sustained damage from the impact, and one of the utility poles was left leaning due to the force of the strike.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the incident was the collision with an electrical wire that was difficult to detect during the low-altitude approach.
  • The emergency landing was precipitated by the pilot's discovery of an improperly secured passenger door, which had been the pilot's responsibility to secure prior to flight.
  • The wire was positioned at approximately 20 feet above the ground, making it extremely difficult to identify from a moving aircraft even at greater distances.
  • Landing at unprepared landing sites carries inherent risks, even when diligent precautions are taken.

Safety action

  • The operator has been advised to remind all pilots of the significant dangers associated with landing at unprepared landing sites.

Probable cause

The incident was caused by the aircraft striking an electrical wire during an emergency landing necessitated by an unsecured passenger door; the wire was difficult to visually identify during the final stages of the approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the null aircraft accident near MY?

A medical transport helicopter experienced a wire strike while attempting an emergency landing on a football field in Kota Marudu, resulting in damage to the rotor hub.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on null involved a aircraft, registration 9M-AWD, at MY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by the aircraft striking an electrical wire during an emergency landing necessitated by an unsecured passenger door; the wire was difficult to visually identify during the final stages of the approach.

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