ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 45048
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| Date: | Tuesday 14 October 2003 |
| Time: | 10:45 |
| Type: |  Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III |
| Owner/operator: | Oregon Department of Forestry |
| Registration: | N86W |
| MSN: | 4142 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1991 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 5282 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C20B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Swisshome, OR -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Eugene, OR (EUG) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
During a low level reconnaissance flight for the Department of Forestry to locate water holes/dip sites for future fire suppression actions, the helicopter collided with an unmarked neutral power line that was strung across the river. The helicopter subsequently collided in the river about 300 feet west of the remaining power lines. The surrounding terrain was mountainous and covered with dense trees and underbrush. The vegetation was in close proximity to the power line towers. Patchy fog and clouds were in the area at the time. The pilot of the helicopter that recovered the wreckage from the river stated that the remaining lines were hard to see and blended in with the vegetation and terrain. Existing maps did not indicate the presence of these lines and the Department of Forestry did not maintain a "hazard map" for the area as indicated in their Aviation Procedures Manual.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering. The power line, mountainous terrain with high obstructions (thick trees and underbrush) and the operators failure to maintain a "hazard map" as indicated in their procedures manual were factors.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB: https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20031017X01771&key=1
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 28-Oct-2008 00:45 | ASN archive | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:24 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 08-Dec-2017 20:00 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Nature, Source, Narrative] |
| 28-Dec-2020 16:42 | TB | Updated [Aircraft type, Damage] |
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