Hughes OH-6A N368PD

Summary

On 4 November 2012 at about 02:45 local time, a Hughes OH-6A registered N368PD, operated by Atlanta Police Department, was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 November 2012 at 02:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

33.7528, -84.4672

Aircraft

Hughes OH-6A

Registration

N368PD

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Atlanta Police Department

Operating rule

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Atlanta → Atlanta

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

ERA13GA046

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude during maneuvering flight, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid a power pole and wires.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The night, public flight was being operated to support ground-based police personnel in locating a missing child. Witnesses reported observing the helicopter at a very low altitude with the search light on maneuvering near the intersection of two city streets. Witness statements indicated that, as the helicopter neared the intersection, the landing gear skids collided with wires at the top a 42-foot power pole. The helicopter then flipped over and crashed into the street. Recorded radar data were consistent with the witness statements. An examination of the airframe did not reveal evidence of malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Rotational scoring found on the internal engine components indicates that the engine had power at impact. No distress calls were received from the flight crew before the crash. Most of the pilot's peers described him as "meticulous," "capable," and "competent"; however, one pilot stated that the accident pilot had a tendency to "fly low."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.