Monday, September 19, 2016

Hughes 369D, N500TN: Accident occurred September 09, 2016 in Peach Orchard, Pemiscot County, Missouri

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Docket And Docket Items - National Transportation Safety Board:   https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

AXIS CAPITAL INC: http://registry.faa.gov/N500TN

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA480
14 CFR Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load
Accident occurred Friday, September 09, 2016 in Peach Orchard, MO
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/13/2017
Aircraft: HUGHES 369, registration: N500TN
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The helicopter pilot reported that he was flying in support of a utility company crew that was installing line guards for a conductor damper on an energized 161 kilovolts (Kv) electrical transmission line. The transmission line had three phases (power lines) that were separated vertically and staggered horizontally from one another and ran parallel to the ground. The lower phase power line was about 9.5 ft (horizontally) further out from the middle phase power line. While the helicopter was approaching the lines, its main rotor blade clearance from the middle phase line was about 2.5 ft, which resulted in an electrical arc to the main rotor. The pilot landed the helicopter away from the transmission line without further incident. 

A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the main rotor hub and two main rotor blades.

The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

According to Occupational Safety & Health Administration 1910.269(I)(10), the minimum approach distance (MAD) is to “ensure that workers do not approach or take any conductive object closer to the energized parts as set forth in the table below (excerpt).” For a voltage of 161 Kv, the MAD for this operation was equal to or greater than 4.00625 ft. 

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The helicopter pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient separation between the main rotor blade and a power line during line guard installation, which resulted in an electrical arc to the main rotor. 

The helicopter pilot reported that he was flying in support of a utility company crew that was installing line guards for a conductor damper on an energized 161 kilovolts (Kv) electrical transmission line. The transmission line had three phases (power lines) that were separated vertically and staggered horizontally from one another and ran parallel to the ground. The lower phase power line was about 9.5 feet (horizontally) further out from the middle phase power line. During approach to the lines, the main rotor blade clearance from the middle phase line was about 2.5 feet, which resulted in an electrical arc to the main rotor. The pilot landed the helicopter away from the transmission line without further incident.

A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the main rotor hub and two main rotor blades.

The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 1910.269(I)(10) the Minimum Approach Distances (MAD) is to "ensure that workers do not approach or take any conductive object closer to the energized parts as set forth in the table below (excerpt). "

Nominal voltage in kilovolts Distance: Phase to ground exposure (feet) 161 to 169 4.00625

The MAD for this operation was a distance equal to or greater than 4.00625 feet. 

No comments:

Post a Comment