Accident Robinson R44 II N74666, Tuesday 25 June 2013

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Date:	Tuesday 25 June 2013
Time:	14:10 LT
Type:	Robinson R44 II
Owner/operator:
Registration:	N74666
MSN:	10845
Year of manufacture:	2005
Total airframe hrs:	532 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	The Dalles, Oregon - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:	The Dalles Airport, OR (DLS/KDLS)
Destination airport:	The Dalles Airport, OR (DLS/KDLS)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot reported that he was maneuvering at a low altitude over a cherry orchard as part of a drying operation. The light was low due to cloudy weather conditions and he did not see corroded copper wires that were adjacent to the orchard. He noticed a pole that had shiny wires on one side, which gave him the illusion that that was the end of the power line, since he could not see the other connected pole that was obscured by trees. The main rotor blades were substantially damaged when they contacted the wire. The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to see and avoid wires while maneuvering at a low-altitude, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the wires.

Accident investigation: