Airbus AS350 strikes power line during surveillance mission near Tulle

Casualties unknown • Tulle (19), FR

An Airbus Helicopters AS350 struck a medium-voltage power line during an inspection flight near Tulle, France, resulting in minor aircraft damage.

What happened

On January 7, 2015, an Airbus Helicopters AS350 BA, registered F-GHBR, was conducting a medium-voltage power line inspection flight south of Tulle. Operated by Jet System Hélicoptères Service (JSHS), the aircraft was flying at approximately 30 knots, positioned parallel to and above the target power lines. During the mission, the lower portion of the helicopter struck a converging medium-voltage line that intersected the path of the line being inspected. The impact caused two of the three cables to break. The pilot performed a precautionary landing in a nearby field, and no injuries were reported among the three crew members on board.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the crew's ability to identify obstacles during the inspection. While the specific power line involved in the collision had been identified as a known obstacle during pre-flight preparations, the crew failed to detect it prior to the impact. The investigation noted that the navigator, whose responsibilities included monitoring the forward and left sectors for obstacles, was in training at the time of the incident. Following the event, the crew conducted an immediate on-site inspection of the Airbus Helicopters AS350 BA, finding only superficial scrape marks. After a successful stationary hover check, the aircraft was flown to Issoire for a more comprehensive technical inspection following manufacturer guidelines.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the incident was the failure to detect the converging power line before impact.
  • The navigator was undergoing training during the flight, which may have affected the effective monitoring of the flight path.
  • Meteorological conditions were not a contributing factor to the collision.

Probable cause

The collision occurred because the crew failed to identify a known power line obstacle that intersected their flight path, a failure potentially linked to the navigator's training status at the time of the incident.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2015-01-07 INCIDENT www.bea.aero Collision avec une ligne électrique, lors d’un vol de surveillance, atterrissage de précaution Sauf précision contraire, les heures figurant dans ce rapport sont exprimées en heure locale. accident near Tulle (19), FR?

An Airbus Helicopters AS350 struck a medium-voltage power line during an inspection flight near Tulle, France, resulting in minor aircraft damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2015-01-07 involved a INCIDENT www.bea.aero Collision avec une ligne électrique, lors d’un vol de surveillance, atterrissage de précaution Sauf précision contraire, les heures figurant dans ce rapport sont exprimées en heure locale., registration F-GHBR, at Tulle (19), FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision occurred because the crew failed to identify a known power line obstacle that intersected their flight path, a failure potentially linked to the navigator's training status at the time of the incident.

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