NTSB Identification: ERA13LA057
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, November 15, 2012 in Corning, NY
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/23/2014
Aircraft: HUGHES 369D, registration: N369AW
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The helicopter was flying west down a hill over power lines that the pilot was inspecting when it struck the top of the power lines that were perpendicular to its flightpath. The tail rotor assembly separated, and the helicopter impacted the ground and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation; however, most of the wreckage sustained extensive thermal- and impact-related damage.
The pilot was hired about 3 weeks before the accident. He had no prior power line patrol experience, but he had completed a wire strike avoidance training module about 2 weeks before the accident. The accident occurred during the pilot’s second work day of flying power line observation flights. After the accident, the operator instituted a policy requiring that all newly hired pilots obtain 100 flight hours of power line patrol-related flight experience with company crewmembers before being assigned an operation that would require flying with noncompany observers.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude while conducting a power line aerial observation flight, which resulted in an in-flight collision with wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of total experience in the type of operation.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On November 15, 2012, at 1211 eastern standard time, a Hughes 369D, N369AW, operated by Haverfield Aviation Inc., was substantially damaged following a collision with power lines and terrain in Corning, New York. The commercial pilot and the observer were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport (ELM), Horseheads, New York, about 1145. The aerial observation flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The observer was a utility company employee.
According to the operator, the helicopter was temporarily based at the Tri-Cities Airport (CZG) in Endicott, New York, and was being utilized to inspect the power lines after a recent storm. The helicopter conducted an uneventful flight earlier in the day and was subsequently refueled at ELM, before continuing survey operations.
Witnesses observed the helicopter flying west, down a hill over power lines which extended east to west. One witness stated that the helicopter appeared below the highest tower, shortly before it struck the top of power lines that extended to the south, perpendicular to the helicopter's flight path. The witness further stated that he did not hear any changes in the rhythm of the rotor blades prior to the impact.
The tail rotor assembly separated, the helicopter impacted the ground and came to rest inverted. A postcrash fire consumed a majority of the main wreckage. On site examination of the helicopter was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who noted power lines wrapped around the main rotor assembly. In addition, the power company reported two power lines "tripped out" at 1211.
A handheld Garmin GPSMAP 496 global positioning system receiver was recovered from the accident site and forwarded to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC for data download.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot, age 24, held a commercial pilot certificate, with ratings for rotorcraft and instrument helicopter. He also held a rotorcraft flight instructor certificate. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on March 27, 2012. At that time, he reported a total flight experience of 1,350 hours, which included 30 hours during the previous 6 months. His most recent flight review was conducted on November 8, 2012, in the same make and model as the accident helicopter.
According to company records, the pilot was hired by Haverfield Aviation on October 22, 2012. He had no prior power line patrol experience and completed a "Helicopter Accident Reduction – Wire Strike Avoidance" training module on October 28, 2012. At the time of the accident, the pilot had accumulated about 1,635 hours of total flight experience, which included about 10 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter, of which 5.2 hours were accumulated during the 24 hours that preceded the accident.
The accident occurred during the pilot's second work day of flying power line aerial observation flights.
According to a company representative, after the accident, Haverfield Aviation instituted a policy requiring that all new hire pilots obtain 100 flight hours of power line patrol related flight experience with company crewmembers prior to being assigned an operation that would require flying with non-company observers.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The four-place helicopter, serial number 470117D, was manufactured in 1977, and was primarily constructed of aluminum alloy. The main rotor was a fully articulated five-bladed system, with anti-torque provided by a two-bladed semi-rigid type tail rotor. It was powered by an Allison M250-C20B, serial number CAE-836392, turboshaft engine, with a takeoff power rating of 420-shaft horsepower.
The helicopter was equipped in a standard left side single pilot configuration. It was also equipped with a wire strike cutting system on the top and bottom portions of the fuselage. The operator reported that the helicopter's most recent 100-hour inspection was performed on October 19, 2012. At that time, the helicopter had been operated for 21,918 total hours. The helicopter had been operated for about 75 hours since the inspection. The engine was manufactured on May 5, 1989, and had been operated for about 12,500 hours since new.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
The reported weather at ELM, which was located about 8 miles east of the accident site, at an elevation 955 feet mean sea level, at 1153, was: clear skies; visibility 10 statute miles; wind calm; temperature 3 degrees Celsius (C); dew point -2 degrees C; altimeter 30.37 inches of mercury.
WRECKAGE INFORMATION
Examination of the helicopter after recovery did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation; however, the wreckage, with the exception of the tail boom and tail rotor assembly sustained extensive thermal and impact related damage.
Evidence of wire contact marks were observed on the main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, tail empennage, and the landing gear skid assembly. The helicopter's wire strike system showed no evidence of wire contact.
All observed main rotor blades contained bent and/or broken spars, wrinkled and punctured skin, and varying degrees of trailing edge separation. The white, blue, and yellow blades were separated from the hub at their respective pitch change housings. The green blade was fractured outboard of Blade Station 105 and the outboard section was not recovered. The red blade was fractured just outboard of the root fitting doubler. A majority of the blue blade was not recovered; although a 12 inch section of trailing edge was located from the vicinity of Blades Station 45.
Continuity of the drivetrain system could not be established due to impact and fire damage. The main transmission was intact. The output drive gear, transmission input pinion assembly and the tail rotor output pinion assembly rotated freely when manipulated by hand. The upper transmission magnetic chip detector plug was absent of metallic debris. The lower transmission magnetic chip detector plug was not located.
The tail rotor driveshaft separated into four main sections, which corresponded with the position and length of fractures observed on the tail boom. The tail boom damage was consistent with main rotor blade contact. The tail rotor gearbox, rotor blades, and pitch control assemblies sustained minor damage and could be manipulated normally.
The engine was entangled in airframe structure and wiring. Extraction of the engine revealed extensive postcrash fire damage. Neither the N1 nor the N2 drive trains could be manually rotated. The accessory gearbox, including both chip detectors was consumed by fire. The compressor remained in its normal position. The first stage axial blades exhibited nicking of multiple leading edge surfaces with deflection of several leading edge surfaces bent opposite the direction of blade rotation. The No. 1 turbine wheel was ashen coated, but otherwise normal in appearance. The fuel pump displayed evidence of thermal exposure with melting of the body and fuel pump bowl, which exposed the fuel filter. Both the power turbine governor and fuel control units were destroyed by fire damage.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Office of the Medical Examiner, Monroe County, New York. The autopsy report revealed the cause of death as "multiple blunt force injuries."
Toxicological testing was performed on the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Science Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was negative for tested substances.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
GPS Data
The Garmin GPSMAP 496 was successfully downloaded by the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory.
According to the recorded data, the helicopter departed ELM to the northwest at 1147:56, and then proceeded on a southwesterly heading for about 4 miles. The helicopter flew south over interstate 86, then turned back north and proceeded northeasterly, before proceeding about 1.5 nautical miles northwesterly, and then returning southeasterly along the same route. By about 12:07:10, the helicopter was proceeding westerly, north of interstate 86. From 1210:11 until about 1210:44, the helicopter flew northeasterly along the top of a ridgeline. About 1210:44, the helicopter proceeded southwesterly, crossing interstate 86 about 1211:12 at a GPS recorded altitude of 1,237 feet, and a ground speed of 36 knots. At 1211:27, the helicopter was in the vicinity of the wires that were struck at the accident site, and was flying at GPS recorded altitude of 1,014 feet, a ground speed of 43 knots, and a heading of 240 degrees. The last two recorded points were both at a GPS recorded altitude of 1,010 feet, at 1211:34 and 1211:57. The point recorded at 1211:34, was at a heading of 245 degrees and a ground speed of 11 knots. The last point was recorded on a heading of 33 degrees and a ground speed of 1 knot.
NTSB Identification: ERA13LA057
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, November 15, 2012 in Corning, NY
Aircraft: HUGHES 369D, registration: N369AW
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On November 15, 2012, at 1211 eastern standard time, a Hughes 369D (MD 500D), N369AW, operated by Haverfield Aviation Inc., was substantially damaged following a collision with power lines and terrain in Corning, New York. The commercial pilot and a passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport (ELM), Horseheads, NY, about 1145. The aerial observation flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to the operator, the helicopter was temporarily based at the Tri-Cities Airport (CZG) in Endicott, New York, and was being utilized to inspect the power lines after a recent storm. The helicopter conducted an uneventful flight earlier in the day and was subsequently refueled at ELM, before continuing survey operations.
Witnesses observed the helicopter flying west down a hill over power lines which extended east to west. One witness stated that the helicopter appeared below the highest tower, shortly before it struck the top of power lines that extended to the south, perpendicular to the helicopter’s flight path. The witness further stated that he did not hear any changes in the rhythm of the rotor blades prior to the impact.
The tail rotor assembly separated, the helicopter impacted the ground and came to rest inverted. A postcrash fire consumed a majority of the main wreckage. Initial examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector noted a power line wrapped around the main rotor assembly. The helicopter was recovered from the accident site and retained for further examination at a later date.
FAA IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 369AW Make/Model: H369 Description: HUGHES 369D
Date: 11/15/2012 Time: 1730
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: ELMIRA State: NY Country: US
DESCRIPTION
N369AW HUGHES 369D ROTORCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE 2
PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FATALLY INJURED, 4 MILES FROM ELMIRA, NY
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 2
# Crew: 2 Fat: 2 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: ROCHESTER, NY (EA23) Entry date: 11/16/2012
Mackenzie Bleth
Sheridan High School photo
The location in upstate New York is about 4 1/2 miles west of Elmira/Corning Regional Airport.
Bleth, 24, who died in the crash, was flying for Haverfield Aviation of Gettysburg, Pa. A passenger, 41-year-old Dale Crout of Watkins Glen, N.Y., was also killed. He was employed by New York State Electric and Gas.
Bleth was not married and had no children. Crout was married and the father of three children, the Corning Leader newspaper reported.
An employee of World Kitchen on the south side of the river told the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin that the helicopter clipped a power line near its building first, knocking out electricity temporarily, and then crashed along a dike on the river.
The helicopter actually clipped a cable on top of a set of powerlines, went into a spin, impacted the ground and exploded, according to the Leader.
It was being used to inspect transmission lines, according to Clayton Ellis, a spokesman for New York State Electric and Gas who spoke to the Associated Press. The utility was contracting with Haverfield.
Bleth, whose mother, Michelle, works for the Federal Correctional Institution in Sheridan and is a former Sheridan School Board member, went to work for Haverfield this year, according to his Facebook page. He previously worked for Coastal Helicopters in Juneau, Alaska, from 2010 to this year, and was a pilot during the final year of his employment. He worked at Oregon's Hillsboro Aviation from 2008-2010.
Grauer said she received a text message from Faulconer Chapman School Principal Marti Hofenbredl this morning informing her of Bleth's death.
Grauer taught at the high school before becoming the superintendent, and she remembers Bleth as a student in her social studies class. She said he would sit in the back of the classroom and do "silly things" in an effort to make her laugh.
"He was a fun-loving kid, and could be a practical joker," Grauer said. "Everyone just loved to be around him. He would do anything for anyone."
She added, "He loved his friends, his family, the outdoors. I remember a green Samurai the boys would take up in the hills. We wondered if they would come back."
Grauer said Bleth was adventurous, which she said undoubtedly played into his love for flying.
While it's not likely that any of Sheridan High's current students knew Bleth, many present staff members remember him, according to Grauer. She said they were scheduled to meet this morning.
"It's going to hit them hard," Grauer said. "He was well-known and liked. We'll set up what we call a safe room for anyone who wants to come in and talk about this or write a card or letter of condolence, and then send those on to the family."
Teacher Lori Bogen wrote, "I started to write this letter and I can't seem to finish. There are many young people who have come into my life, but none who had your unique combination of self-confidence and humor. Your smile was one to definitely light up any room. And I will truly miss you."
Karen Martin, a secretary, wrote, "Mack has the most contagous smile."
Teacher Beth Statts wrote, "Mack Bleth enjoyed life."
Kathy Byers, the Night Court coordinator, wrote, "When I think of Mackenzie — he was so full of life and love. A positive, great, great person.
Librarian Dolly Bagwell wrote, "When I think of Mack, I remember him as always having a big smile on his face. He was a happy go lucky, test the waters young man. His dream was to fly helicopters. He pursued and achieved that dream. We lost a terrific young man, doing what he loved to do."
Principal Dean Rech said he got to know Bleth through physical education and conditioning classes he taught.
"It is a tremendous loss for the community of Sheridan to have a young man like him pass away," he said.
Rech said Bleth was well liked by his classmates. He was funny, had a good sense of humor and was a hard worker.
It didn't matter where you were at — in class, out of class, at a football game, a basketball game — Bleth always had a smile on his face. "Mac loved life," Rech said.
He started to pursue his love of flying following graduation, and Rech said he still remembers Bleth once flying over the high school. "He talked about how much he loved being in the air."
Grauer said, "There are a lot of kids who were in his graduating class that are still in town. I'm contacting some teachers he had who have left. I got a text from one who is pretty sad about this."
That didn't surprise Grauer. "He was a great kid," she said.
Haverfield Aviation, Inc. is the leading provider of aerial power line inspection and construction support services both in the United States and abroad, according to its website. It claims to be the most efficient provider of energized line services in the U.S.
Haverfield has participated in many extensive inspection and maintenance projects across the country and in Canada, Panama, Australia and Africa. To date, Haverfield has performed services for virtually every major utility in the United States.
See Tuesday's print edition for additional details.
UPDATE: Corning, N.Y. (WETM 18 NEWS) - We have more information on the victims of yesterday's deadly helocpter crash in Corning.
Chief John Tighe of the Corning Fire Department says Mackenzie Bleth, 24, was the pilot of the helicopter. He is from Oregon.
And the passenger is identified as Dale Crout, 42, from Watkins Glen. He was an employee of NYSEG out of Horseheads.
The helicopter crash landed at the end of Corning Blvd- just over the river's bank.
FAA officials are still investigating a cause of the crash.
Corning, N.Y. — A helicopter crashed shortly before noon today next to the Chemung River in downtown Corning, killing both people aboard.
The victims have not been identified and authorities aren’t releasing any other details yet.
The crash scene is on the north bank of the river, near the East High expansion project at the end of Corning Boulevard.
The helicopter clipped power lines on its way down, briefly knocking out power to large portions of the city.
Several wires were dangling at the scene, which was cordoned off by yellow police tape.
Corning city police and firefighters, New York State Police, Steuben County sheriff’s deputies, and Rural/Metro Ambulance were at the scene, along with Steuben County Coroner Al Lewis. Crews from NYSEG and Corning Natural Gas also responded.
FAA officials had been called to the scene.
The helicopter was reportedly a contractor for NYSEG, inspecting power lines in the area, although that had not been confirmed.
Zach Sullivan, who lives on Corning Boulevard near the crash site, said he was home sick from school, and was taking a nap when he was awakened by a loud boom.
“First I looked out in the backyard, but then I heard a knock on the door, and it was a jogger, and he told me to call 911, that a helicopter had crashed.”
After calling 911, Sullivan - a junior at Corning East - went outside and saw flames and black smoke rising high into the air.
“It was a big, big explosion. It shook my house. Pretty crazy,” he said.
He later saw a covered body on a stretcher loaded into an ambulance and taken away, he said.
The crash appeared to have taken down a power line cable that stretched across the river to the levee outside the World Kitchen plant, and firefighters and NYSEG crews were working there, too.
Workers at World Kitchen and Corning City Hall said they ran outside after hearing the crash and saw flames. Onlookers stood all over the city, on both sides of the river. A portion of Corning Boulevard is closed down.
More details will be posted as they become available.
STEUBEN COUNTY, N.Y. -- Two people have been confirmed dead after a helicopter crash.
NYSEG says they were using the helicopter to inspect transmission lines in the area.
The chopper went down in the area behind Corning East High School, but not on their property. NYSEG does not own the helicopter; it was a contracted service.
There is still no word on what caused the helicopter to go down, and the names of the victims have not been released.
NYSEG says they were using the helicopter to inspect transmission lines in the area.
The chopper went down in the area behind Corning East High School, but not on their property. NYSEG does not own the helicopter; it was a contracted service.
There is still no word on what caused the helicopter to go down, and the names of the victims have not been released.
The Corning-Painted Post School District says students and staff were safe at all times, and while the crash was not on their property, they did close East High's open campus.
Stay with YNN for new developments.
Stay with YNN for new developments.
A helicopter has crashed near the Chemung River in the City of Corning, police confirm.
City police said they received a call about the crash at 12:09 p.m.
No casualties have been reported, however eyewitnesses report there is little left of the chopper except smoldering debris.
An employee of World Kitchen on the south side of the river said the helicopter clipped a power line near their building first, knocking out electricity temporarily. The chopper then crashed along the dike on the opposite side of the Chemung River, the World Kitchen employee said.
Brad Turner, assistant director of the Southeast Steuben Area Library, said he didn’t hear anything when the helicopter crashed, but he reported that power went off temporarily in the library as well.
Corning, N.Y. — A helicopter crashed shortly after noon Thursday next to the Chemung River in downtown Corning, killing both men on board.
The victims have not been identified, pending positive identification and notification of family.
The crash site was on the north bank of the river, near the East High expansion project at the end of Corning Boulevard.
The crew was inspecting power lines in the Corning area for NYSEG when the chopper became entangled in some power lines near the end of Corning Boulevard, causing the crash, said Corning Fire Chief John Tighe.
The small black helicopter exploded when it hit the ground, and both men were killed instantly, Tighe said.
The National Safety Transportation Board is investigating.
Chief Tighe said the helicopter, a McDonnell Douglas 369D, belonged to Haverfield Aviation Inc., based in Gettysburg, Pa.
The company describes itself on its website as a leading provider of power line inspection and maintenance services in the U.S. and abroad.
The pilot worked for Haverfield Aviation and was from outside the area, and the passenger was a NYSEG employee who lived in the Watkins Glen area, authorities said.
“NYSEG is deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and co-workers of the two men who were killed in today’s crash,” said Clayton Ellis, NYSEG spokesman, in a statement.
“We are cooperating with the authorities that are investigating the crash,” Ellis said.
When the helicopter clipped the power lines, it briefly knocked out power to large portions of the city.
Several wires were dangling at the scene, which was cordoned off by yellow police tape. Crews later removed the dangling lines.
Corning city police and firefighters, New York State Police, Steuben County sheriff’s deputies, and Rural/Metro Ambulance were at the scene, along with Steuben County Coroner Al Lewis. Crews from NYSEG also responded. The Painted Post Fire Department and Steuben County Emergency Services also assisted.
Another helicopter, believed to be from Haverfield Aviation and apparently the same model, landed near the scene later Thursday afternoon with two men aboard, who both headed to the crash site.
Zach Sullivan, who lives on Corning Boulevard near the crash site, said he was home sick from school, and was taking a nap when he was awakened by a loud boom.
“First I looked out in the backyard, but then I heard a knock on the front door, and it was a jogger, and he told me to call 911, that a helicopter had hit power lines and crashed.”
After calling 911, Sullivan - a junior at Corning East - went outside and saw flames and black smoke rising high into the air.
http://www.the-leader.com
