What happened
On May 2, 1997, at approximately 15:40, a Hughes-Schweizer 269 C helicopter, registered F-GIYM, was engaged in agricultural spraying operations near Bourbon-l'Archambault. The pilot had been performing spraying tasks for approximately three hours prior to the accident.
Before beginning work on a new field, the pilot met with the landowner to identify any potential hazards. During a period of ground and aerial reconnaissance, the pilot noted a tree line at the edge of the plot and a medium-voltage power line crossing the area. During the initial maneuvers over the field, the pilot's attention was diverted by the visible gestures of a person standing at the far end of the field. During a subsequent pass, the aircraft struck the power lines.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the impact and the pilot's awareness of the obstacles. Investigators established that the pilot had identified the presence of the power lines during the initial reconnaissance phase. However, the investigation determined that the pilot's attention was momentarily diverted by the actions of a person on the ground, which preceded the collision.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure to perceive the obstacle during flight.
- The pilot was distracted by the movements of an individual at the edge of the field.
- The collision resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and damage to the electrical infrastructure.
- The pilot sustained one injury.