What happened
On November 8, 1996, at approximately 17:30, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, registration PT-HUD, was conducting an aerial filming mission in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo. The aircraft was flying at a low altitude near the Washington Luís highway, which the pilot was using as a visual reference to locate a residence for filming. During the maneuver, the helicopter struck low-voltage power lines at an estimated altitude of 70 feet. The impact caused the pilot to lose control, leading to a subsequent impact with the ground. The pilot and one passenger sustained light injuries, while the aircraft suffered severe damage, including an unrecoverable main rotor and significant damage to the engine and transmission.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the flight conditions, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the pilot's credentials. The investigation confirmed that the R-22 was in full airworthy condition, with all maintenance logs and inspections up to date. The pilot was found to be experienced, qualified, and physically fit for the mission. Meteorological data indicated clear skies and good visibility, though the sun was positioned directly in the pilot's forward field of view. The investigation also focused on operational compliance, specifically regarding the minimum altitude requirements for helicopter operations over inhabited areas.
Findings
- The pilot was flying significantly below the regulatory minimum altitude of 500 feet required for operations over inhabited areas, and no specific authorization for low-altitude flight had been obtained.
- The position of the sun directly in the aircraft's path hindered the pilot's ability to detect the power lines.
- There was evidence of divided attention, as the pilot was likely focused on the filming area rather than strictly on flight path monitoring.
- Inadequate flight planning contributed to the failure to account for environmental hazards and regulatory altitude limits.
- The pilot's intentional disregard for established air traffic rules regarding minimum altitude was a contributing factor.