Aircraft and Pilot Details
The helicopter involved was a Robinson R44 Raven, registration G-HWKS, manufactured in 2007 with serial number 1747. It was equipped with one Lycoming O-540-F1B5 piston engine. The pilot, 26 years old, held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 120 total flying hours, of which 38 were on the Robinson R44 type. His recent flying experience included 6 hours in the preceding 90 days and 2 hours in the last 28 days.
Accident Description
On 26 February 2019, at approximately 1635 UTC, the pilot was conducting a private flight and making an approach to a private landing site on Sketrick Island. During the final approach over the water between the island and the mainland, the helicopter struck electrical power lines that were strung across the water. After striking the wires, the pilot elected to land the helicopter immediately on the nearest road.
Resulting Damage and Injuries
The helicopter suffered damage to its main rotor blades, along with minor damage to the mast and tail cone. The pilot and the two passengers on board were not injured.
Observations on Wire Strikes
The pilot reported that wires and power lines can be very challenging to see from the air. Often, the only indication of their presence is the poles supporting them, and wooden poles may be camouflaged by the surrounding landscape or obscured by trees. Such wires are frequently encountered in unexpected locations, particularly in rural areas, and pose a significant hazard to all types of aircraft. The report emphasizes that careful preparation and reconnaissance, including the use of mapping tools like Google Earth, can help identify wires that might affect a flight but are not depicted on aviation charts.