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NTSB Report
January 2, 1993 · Hughes 269C · N7462F
Folsom, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 2, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Folsom, CA
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N7462F
Operator
Stanley L Van Vleck
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX93LA087
THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER DEPARTED A PRIVATE HELIPORT LOCATED AT THE PILOT'S HOUSE FOR AN AIRBORNE CATTLE HERDING OPERATION. THE PILOT DROPPED HIS PASSENGER OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO DIVERT CATTLE WITH HIS HELICOPTER. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD FLOWN IN THIS AREA FOR ABOUT 24 YEARS AND WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES IN THE AREA. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT AND A WITNESS SAID THE SKY WAS OVERCAST AND THE WIRES BLENDED IN WITH THE GRAY SKY. HE SAID HE ASCENDED TO AN ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WIRES TO DETERMINE HOW TO DESCEND AND MANEUVER TO 'CUT OFF' A STRAY COW. DURING THE DESCENT, THE PILOT SAID HE BECAME 'EXTREMELY SURPRISED TO SEE WIRES ABOUT 40 FEET DEAD AHEAD.' THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TWO OF THE TRANSMISSION WIRES ABOUT 80 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND THEN ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT FAILING TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT RESULTING IN THE HELICOPTER COLLIDING WITH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER DEPARTED A PRIVATE HELIPORT LOCATED AT THE PILOT'S HOUSE FOR AN AIRBORNE CATTLE HERDING OPERATION. THE PILOT DROPPED HIS PASSENGER OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO DIVERT CATTLE WITH HIS HELICOPTER. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD FLOWN IN THIS AREA FOR ABOUT 24 YEARS AND WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES IN THE AREA. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT AND A WITNESS SAID THE SKY WAS OVERCAST AND THE WIRES BLENDED IN WITH THE GRAY SKY. HE SAID HE ASCENDED TO AN ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WIRES TO DETERMINE HOW TO DESCEND AND MANEUVER TO 'CUT OFF' A STRAY COW. DURING THE DESCENT, THE PILOT SAID HE BECAME 'EXTREMELY SURPRISED TO SEE WIRES ABOUT 40 FEET DEAD AHEAD.' THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TWO OF THE TRANSMISSION WIRES ABOUT 80 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND THEN ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN7462F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorStanley L Van Vleck
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 72 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO