Tuesday, May 08, 2018

Hughes 369D, N175JL: Accident occurred April 29, 2018 in Newark, Licking County, Ohio

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;  Columbus, Ohio

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

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N175JL

Location: Newark, OH
Accident Number: GAA18CA249
Date & Time: 04/29/2018, 1145 EDT
Registration: N175JL
Aircraft: HUGHES 369
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load 

The Chief Pilot reported that, while working on transmission power wires, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter closer to the wires to give a better position for the other crew member. He added that the pilot heard a noise and felt a vibration from the tail section. The pilot moved away from the wires, noticed no abnormality of flight, and returned to the landing zone without further incident.

Postaccident examination revealed that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor.

The Chief Pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Private
Age: 49, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane; Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/12/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/13/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 4540 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3760 hours (Total, this make and model), 4340 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 150 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 119 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: HUGHES
Registration: N175JL
Model/Series: 369 D
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 270076D
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/07/2018, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Shaft
Airframe Total Time: 10969.9 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rolls Royce
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 250-C20B
Registered Owner: HAVERFIELD INTERNATIONAL INC
Rated Power: 420 hp
Operator: HAVERFIELD INTERNATIONAL INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held:  Rotorcraft External Load (133)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KVTA, 884 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1554 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 231°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots / 16 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.29 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 10°C / -3°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: NEWARK, OH (VTA)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Newark, OH
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0730 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  40.130000, -82.290000 (est)

January 25, 2016: Low Flying Helicopters Are Surveying Electric Transmission Lines

Darien police released this picture of a helicopter doing work for Eversource, the electric utility.


The Darien Police Department has been getting “hundreds and hundreds” of calls from residents concerned about low-flying helicopters in the past week, says Sgt. Jeremiah Marron, a department spokesman.

The choppers are surveying transmission lines with high-resolution cameras, according to a statement released by Eversource, formerly Connecticut Light & Power, and posted on the Internet by Darien Police. The project is “part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the power grid and increase reliability,” the utility said.

“Photographs collected during these flights will help build a more detailed record of structures, lines and other electrical equipment which will increase the efficiency of maintaining the electric system in Connecticut,” the statement reads.

The flights are expected to wrap up this week, Marron said. The utility statement said that for this week the helicopters will be flying as early as 7 a.m. and as late as dusk.

The chopper is also flying in Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk and Westport.

Eversource added: “The helicopter assigned to this project is black with a registration number N175JL.”

In a statement posted by police on Facebook, the department said: “Please don’t call the Police Department to report it. Thank you.”

Story and photo: http://darienite.com

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