What happened
On May 12, 1998, at approximately 09:30, a Hughes-Schweizer 269 C helicopter, registration F-GICX, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Serzy-et-Prin, France. The aircraft was operated by an aerial work company. During its first pass while facing west, the pilot attempted to fly beneath a low-voltage power line positioned at an altitude of 8 meters.
During this maneuver, the pilot failed to detect a telephone line suspended at a height of 5.8 meters on utility poles. The main rotor struck the wire, resulting in the line being severed and causing damage to two rotor blades that exceeded allowable tolerances. Following the impact, the pilot was able to land the aircraft safely without further incident.
The investigation
The investigation established that the telephone line in question had been installed on October 24, 1997, following the conclusion of previous vineyard spraying seasons. The pilot, an experienced aviator with 9,800 total flight hours, had been performing spraying operations in this specific area for 15 years. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable, characterized by calm winds, high visibility (CAVOK), and a temperature of 18 °C.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was the incomplete perception of the surrounding environment.
- The pilot's attempt to navigate under a known low-voltage line led to an oversight of the lower-hanging telephone wire.
- The impact resulted in the destruction of the utility line and significant damage to the aircraft's rotor system.