Serious incident Bell UH-1B N158HP, Thursday 8 May 1986

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Date:	Thursday 8 May 1986
Time:	11:15 LT
Type:	Bell UH-1B
Owner/operator:	Southern Aero Corp.
Registration:	N158HP
MSN:	401(62-1881)
Total airframe hrs:	6340 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming T53-L-11D
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Minor
Category:	Serious incident
Location:	Wrightsville, NC - United States of America
Phase:	Taxi
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO DESCEND FROM A HIGH HOVER TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD ADJACENT TO A HOTEL PARKING LOT WHEN THE TIPS OF BOTH MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED A LIGHT POLE. THE PLT MANEUVERED AWAY FROM THE POLE AND LANDED IN THE OPEN FIELD. SEVERAL AUTOMOBILES IN THE PARKING LOT SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: