Incident Overview
On 19 February 2017, a Bell 206B Jet Ranger III helicopter (registration G-BTHY) struck a recreational kite line while flying at approximately 700 ft above ground level near Sandwich Bay, Kent. The pilot, unaware of the contact, continued the flight. Damage to multiple components was discovered after the helicopter was shut down following a third flight. No injuries to the pilot or four passengers were reported.
History of the Flight
The helicopter was conducting a series of sightseeing flights from a base at Manston disused airfield. During the first flight, the pilot flew along the coast at altitudes between 700 and 1,000 ft amsl, later climbing to 1,500 ft amsl near Deal. While at 700 ft, he noticed a kite close by and took avoiding action but felt no contact. The flight lasted approximately 25 minutes. After a second flight, a person assisting with loading noticed a scuff mark on the windscreen. The helicopter was shut down for inspection, revealing damage to the right forward door screen, main rotor pitch change links, one rotor blade, and the vertical fin.
Aircraft Examination
Maintenance examination revealed abrasion and a small incision on one main rotor blade leading edge. Two main rotor pitch links required overhaul; scratches and an incision on the tailfin were within limits and repaired. Windscreen and side window scratches were polished out. No kite line was recovered, preventing material testing.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather was clear with a westerly wind of 8 kt, good visibility, and few clouds at 4,000 ft.
Regulatory and Organisational Context
The kite flying activity had not been notified to the CAA, and no NOTAM was issued. The helicopter operator routinely checked NOTAMs before flights; none were applicable. Air Navigation Order 2016 Article 92 prohibits kite tether lines extending more than 60 m above ground without CAA permission. The pilot reported the incident to the Coastguard SAR helicopter facility at Lydd Airport. Operator personnel later visited the beach location and advised those flying kites of the hazard.
Conclusion
Evidence indicated that the helicopter encountered a kite flown at high level, not in compliance with the Air Navigation Order. The damage was repairable. The operator subsequently advised its pilots of the potential hazard.