What happened
On May 15, 2020, at approximately 20:00 UTC, a Robinson R44 helicopter, registration LV-HFO, was performing a takeoff from an area in Santo Domingo, Santa Fe, as part of a general aviation flight. As the aircraft ascended, it drifted backward approximately four meters. During this movement, the pilot noted an unusual noise but proceeded with the standard takeoff maneuver. Shortly after, the pilot decided to land the aircraft a few meters ahead of the original position as a precautionary measure. Upon inspection, it was discovered that a main rotor blade had struck and severed a medium-voltage electrical cable.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the takeoff phase and the physical damage sustained by the aircraft. Investigators examined the flight path and the impact between the rotor system and the electrical infrastructure. The inspection confirmed that the contact with the power line was the cause of the noise heard by the pilot and the subsequent decision to perform a precautionary landing. The investigation concluded that the incident resulted in minor damage to the aircraft.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the impact of a main rotor blade with a medium-voltage electrical cable during the initial climb.
- The pilot experienced a backward drift of the aircraft during the takeoff phase, which led to the collision with the overhead lines.
- There were no fatalities and no serious injuries resulting from the event, though one person sustained minor injuries.