Accident Hughes 369 N5062Q, Tuesday 30 April 1996

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Date:	Tuesday 30 April 1996
Time:	22:40 LT
Type:	Hughes 369
Owner/operator:	U.s. Border Patrol
Registration:	N5062Q
MSN:	67-16255
Total airframe hrs:	10657 hours
Engine model:	Allison 250-C20B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Yuma, AZ - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:	(KYUM)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot was on a night visual surveillance operation in an area that was familiar to him. During a turn to the right at low altitude, the helicopter collided with transmission power lines. No visual or mechanical problems were reported to have occurred before the accident.

Probable Cause: failure of the pilot to maintain altitude and/or clearance from obstacles, while maneuvering a low altitude at night. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness and the lack of visual cues.

Accident investigation: