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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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NTSB Report

March 7, 2018 · Hughes 369D D · N499SL

Blair, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 7, 2018
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Blair, WI
Aircraft
Hughes 369D D (1979)
Tail Number
N499SL
Operator
High Line Helicopters
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
CEN18LA121

The commercial pilot of the helicopter reported that the purpose of the flight was to lift a utility company lineman to a structure to perform work in conjunction with a new powerline project. While transporting the lineman to the structure using a long line, the worker contacted an existing, live powerline and was seriously injured. The weather conditions at the time of the accident included 10 miles visibility and no precipitation. The pilot reported that he could not see the powerline from his perspective until it was too late to make a course change. The pilot recommended that better recognition of hazards and obstructions may have prevented the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to recognize and compensate for hazards during the external load operation, which led to a collision between a lineman (external load) and a powerline.

Full Narrative

On March 7, 2018, about 1400 central standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, transporting a powerline worker via a long line, was involved in an accident near Blair, Wisconsin, when the worker contacted the powerlines and received serious injuries. The helicopter was not damaged and the pilot received no injuries. The helicopter was registered to HLH Holdings, LLC, and was operated by High Line Helicopters, LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 as a Rotorcraft External-Load Operation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The local flight had just originated when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to lift a utility lineman using the helicopter so that the lineman could install components in conjunction with a new powerline project. He stated that once the lineman hooked up to the long line he proceeded to lift the lineman up to a nearby structure but the lineman contacted an existing powerline. The lineman was subsequently set back on the ground to await emergency services. The lineman suffered severe injuries as a result of the accident.. The pilot reported that the powerline that the lineman struck was not visible from the pilot's perspective until it was too late to correct course. He also reported as a recommendation: "Better recognition of hazards and obstructions while performing external load operations." The weather conditions reported at a nearby airport included a broken ceiling at 3,700 ft above the ground, 10 miles visibility and no precipitation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 369D D
Tail NumberN499SL
Aircraft CategoryHeli
OperatorHigh Line Helicopters
Operating RulePart 133
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls Royce · C20B · Turboshaft · 420

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 9 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 10 C
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data