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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

November 27, 2014 · Md Helicopter MD 900 · N902LC

Highlandville, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 27, 2014
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Highlandville, MO
Aircraft
Md Helicopter MD 900 (2007)
Tail Number
N902LC
Operator
Air Methods
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN15LA066

The pilot was executing an off-airport landing during night visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he had completed two orbits of the area and had selected a large nearby field as the landing site. As the helicopter descended to about 20 ft above ground level, the pilot observed a set of power lines paralleling the helicopter's flightpath that he had not identified during the initial orbits of the landing area. He attempted to move the helicopter left to avoid the power lines, but the main rotor blades inadvertently struck one of them. The pilot maintained control of the helicopter and landed it safely. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to three of the main rotor blades. The remaining two rotor blades sustained minor damage. The pilot did not report any failures or malfunctions with the helicopter before impacting the power lines.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inability to identify the power line during the initial approach in night visual meteorological conditions and his subsequent failure to avoid the power line once he identified it on final approach.

Full Narrative

On November 26, 2014, about 2321 central standard time, a McDonnell Douglas model 900 helicopter, N902LC, was substantially damage when the main rotor blades struck a power line during landing near Highlandville, Missouri. The pilot was executing an off-airport landing to a field in order to pick-up a patient at the time of the accident. The pilot sustained minor injuries; the two medical crew members were not injured. The helicopter was registered to the Lester E Cox Medical Centers and operated by Air Methods Corporation under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an air medical flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated on a company visual flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from the Cox Medical Center facility in Springfield, Missouri, about 2310. The pilot reported that he had completed two orbits of the accident scene and selected a large nearby field as the landing site. Using the helicopter search and landing lights, the pilot identified a pole at the southeast corner of the field with wires running toward the north. However, about 20 feet above ground level, he identified a second set of power lines paralleling the helicopter's flight path. He observed those power lines in his peripheral vision from under the night vision goggles. He attempted to move the helicopter to the left to avoid them, but the main rotor blades inadvertently struck one of the lines. The pilot maintained control and landed safely. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to three of the main rotor blades. The remaining two rotor blades sustained minor damage. Debris from the power line struck and broke the pilot's door window. The pilot did not report any failures or malfunctions with the helicopter before impacting the power lines.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:21 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMd Helicopter MD 900
Tail NumberN902LC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Methods
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsP&W Canada · PW207E · Turboshaft · 572 | P&W Canada · PW207E · Turboshaft · 572
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind330° @ 16 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 39 C
Altimeter30.29 inHg
Observation Time04:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data