What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) Pilot conducted low level power line patrolling. Over mountainous area while cruising at 30 KTS pilot encountered an old 13,000 volts line that was confused with landscape. Pilot took evasive action but main rotor actually hit the line. Low rotor RPM came on and pilot made an autorotation. Minor damage to rotor and tail area only with no injuries.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) PILOT CONDUCTED LOW LEVEL POWER LINE PATROLLING. OVER MOUNTAINOUS AREA WHILE CRUISING AT 30 KTS PILOT ENCOUNTERED AN OLD 13,000 VOLTS LINE THAT WAS CONFUSED WITH LANDSCAPE. PILOT TOOK EVASIVE ACTION BUT MAIN ROTOR ACTUALLY HIT THE LINE. LOW ROTOR RPM CAME ON AND PILOT MADE AN AUTOROTATION. MINOR DAMAGE TO ROTOR AND TAIL AREA ONLY WITH NO INJURIES.
Other reports on N5841Z · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.