| Date: | Tuesday 30 May 1989 |
| Time: | 18:45 LT |
| Type: | Hughes 369HS |
| Owner/operator: | Rainbow Helicopters, Inc. |
| Registration: | N9238F |
| MSN: | 2507135 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 2900 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C20 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Niagara Falls, NY -
United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Goat Island, NY |
| Destination airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:DURING A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT OVER THE PARK AREA OF NIAGARA FALLS, THE HELICOPTER FLEW INTO CABLES THAT WERE USED TO TRANSPORT CABLE CARS ACROSS THE GORGE FOR A SKYVIEW OF THE WHIRPOOL. AFTER THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE CABLES, IT JERKED ABOUT. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER ONTO A GOLF COURSE AND THE PASSENGERS JUMPED CLEAR OF THE CRAFT UNHURT. THE PILOT THEN LANDED THE HELICOPTER AND SHUT OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Probable Cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SEE AND AVOID THE CABLES.
Accident investigation:
|
|
| | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Report number: | NYC89LA171 |
| Status: | Investigation completed |
| Duration: | 3 years |
| Download report: | Final report
|
|
Sources:
NTSB NYC89LA171
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
| 24-Mar-2024 06:19 |
ASN Update Bot |
Added |
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:

CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation