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NTSB Report
May 8, 1985 · Hughes 369HS · N9EE
Malvern, AR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Malvern, AR
Aircraft
Hughes 369HS
Tail Number
N9EE
Operator
Three Rivers Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC85LA098
DURING A POWERLINE CONSTRUCTION OPERATION, A GROUND CREW MEMBER HOLDING A ROPE LEAD LINE RELEASED THE ROPE PREMATURELY AS THE HELICOPTER BECAME AIRBORNE. THE NYLON ROPE ENTANGLED THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM FORCING THE PLT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. THE GROUND CREW MEMBER IS SUPPOSED TO RETAIN A HOLD OF THIS LINE UNTIL THE HELICOPTER CLEARS THE TOWER WHERE THE LINE STRINGING OPERATION IS BEING CONDUCTED.
Full Narrative
DURING A POWERLINE CONSTRUCTION OPERATION, A GROUND CREW MEMBER HOLDING A ROPE LEAD LINE RELEASED THE ROPE PREMATURELY AS THE HELICOPTER BECAME AIRBORNE. THE NYLON ROPE ENTANGLED THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM FORCING THE PLT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. THE GROUND CREW MEMBER IS SUPPOSED TO RETAIN A HOLD OF THIS LINE UNTIL THE HELICOPTER CLEARS THE TOWER WHERE THE LINE STRINGING OPERATION IS BEING CONDUCTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369HS
Tail NumberN9EE
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThree Rivers Helicopters
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 400
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 10 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 2800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:47
Weather SourceWFAC