Bell 407 N7160V

Summary

On 15 November 2012 at about 14:00 local time, a Bell 407 registered N7160V, operated by Classic Helicopter Group, LLC., was involved in an incident near Riverton, Wyoming, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 November 2012 at 14:00

Classification

Incident

Location

Riverton, Wyoming, United States

Nearest airport

Riverton Regional (RIW)

Coordinates

42.8253, -107.5906

Aircraft

Bell 407

Registration

N7160V

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Classic Helicopter Group, LLC.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Casper → Riverton

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13IA059

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear power lines while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow company operating specifications for minimum altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter crewmembers were returning to their home base after transporting a patient. The pilot was flying the helicopter at en route altitudes of around 80-100 feet above ground level and struck power lines; he was not following company operating specifications of a minimum altitude of at least 300 feet. The pilot reported that he did not observe the wires until after the initial impact and was able to land the helicopter off airport without incident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.