McDonnell Douglas 369E (MD500E) N416WC

Summary

On 4 February 2011 at about 22:22 local time, a McDonnell Douglas 369E (MD500E) registered N416WC, operated by Wilson Construction Company, was involved in an accident near Elverta, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 February 2011 at 22:22

Classification

Accident

Location

Elverta, California, United States

Coordinates

38.7183, -121.4783

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas 369E (MD500E)

Registration

N416WC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Wilson Construction Company

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Elverta → Elverta

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

WPR11LA122

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot did not maintain rotor blade clearance from an installation rope while maneuvering to install power lines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A lineman was on the skid of the helicopter installing high-power electrical lines on a power line structure. The pilot positioned the helicopter about 30 to 50 feet from the structure. The main rotor blades made contact with an installation rope, which then wrapped around the mast as the blades pulled it in. The pilot lost control of the helicopter, and it began an uncontrolled descent to the ground. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot misjudged the distance between the rotor blades and the installation rope.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.