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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 16, 2001 · Hughes 369HS · N4467V

Mountain View, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 16, 2001
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Mountain View, CA
Aircraft
Hughes 369HS
Tail Number
N4467V
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX01LA211

During powerline maintenance work, the pilot lost control of the helicopter, resulting in the main rotor blades contacting a transmission line tower, and the helicopter fell to the ground. As he had on numerous occasions, the pilot flew to the tower to pickup a passenger who was performing maintenance on it. The pilot placed one of the helicopter's skids on the tower and the passenger began boarding. However, on this occasion a gust of wind was experienced and the wind direction suddenly shifted. Despite the pilot's effort to maintain control, the helicopter dynamically rolled over resulting in a main rotor blade striking the tower. Thereafter, the pilot lost total control and the helicopter fell about 90 feet to the ground. No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control while hovering out of ground effect. A factor was the wind gusts.

Full Narrative

On June 16, 2001, about 1415 hours Pacific daylight time, a Hughes 369HS, N4467V, collided with a tower and crashed about 1.5 miles northeast of Moffett Field, Mountain View, California. The helicopter was operated by Trinity Helicopters, Inc., Hayward, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the public utility work-related flight performed under 14 CFR Part 133. No flight plan was filed. The helicopter was destroyed. The commercial pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from Mountain View about 1410. According to the pilot, he flew to the tower to pickup a passenger who was performing maintenance on the tower. The pilot placed one skid on the tower and the passenger began boarding the helicopter. Although he had performed this type of maneuver on numerous occasions, on this occasion the wind direction suddenly shifted from a direct tail wind to a right crosswind. Despite his effort to maintain control, the helicopter dynamically rolled over resulting in a main rotor blade striking the tower. Control was lost, and the helicopter fell about 90 feet to the ground. The pilot also indicated that prior to experiencing the loss of control, no mechanical malfunctions were experienced. The pilot further indicated that the sudden change in the wind direction was not predictable. The pilot estimated that, at the time of the mishap, the wind was from the northwest at 10 knots. There were gusts to 15 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 369HS
Tail NumberN4467V
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 375
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time20:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data