McDonnell Douglas 369E N400MB

Summary

On 21 April 2010 at about 15:01 local time, a McDonnell Douglas 369E registered N400MB, operated by Air 2 LLC, was involved in an accident near Newfane, Vermont, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 April 2010 at 15:01

Classification

Accident

Location

Newfane, Vermont, United States

Coordinates

42.9975, -72.6208

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas 369E

Registration

N400MB

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Air 2 LLC

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

External Load

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Newfane → Newfane

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10LA238

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a rope while maneuvering during powerline operations for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The accident occurred during a procedure to install a hold-down block onto a pulling rope located between powerline structures. An all stop order to quit pulling the rope was reportedly given 3 to 5 minutes before the accident and confirmed by the pilot via radio before maneuvering to begin the hold-down block installation. No movement of the pulling rope was reported by personnel associated with the installation. The pilot confirmed there was adequate clearance to work and positioned the helicopter near one of the structures as the additional lineman in the helicopter installed the hold-down block. After completion, the lineman in the helicopter saw two waves in the pulling rope. The first wave missed the helicopter but the second wave contacted the main rotor blade, wrapping around the main rotor mast. The lineman jumped into the helicopter, which descended to the ground and came to rest on its left side nearly inverted. The operator reported that there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction with the helicopter. No determination could be made as to the reason for the reported wave in the pulling rope.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.