Hughes 269A N69HU

Summary

On 28 May 2006 at about 19:15 local time, a Hughes 269A registered N69HU was involved in an accident near Berlin Center, Ohio, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 May 2006 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Berlin Center, Ohio, United States

Coordinates

41.0297, -80.9583

Aircraft

Hughes 269A

Registration

N69HU

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknoown → Berlin Center

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI06LA138

1 person died.

The pilot flew at a low altitude and failed to maintain clearance from the wire. A factor was the wire.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise flight, a single engine helicopter was substantialy damaged when it impacted the terrain after colliding with a static power line wire that was about 52 feet above the ground. The helicopter was observed over-flying a parade route prior to the impact with the power line. Witnesses reported that the helicopter was flying westbound over the middle of highway. It was observed flying straight and level at a low altitude. One witness reported that the helicopter was flying at treetop level for about 1,000 feet 1/2 mile before the accident. The landing skid caught the top neutral wire and the helicopter rotated upside down and impacted the middle of the road. The inspection of the helicopter revealed no pre-impact airframe and engine anomalies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.