# Accident 20081011848209A: Snias AS350B3, Alberton, MT, October 11, 2008

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 11, 2008, 12:30 local time
- Place: Alberton, MT
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: RMXA
- Location: 47.0044° N, 114.4853° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alberton, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0044&lon=-114.4853&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3817 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SNIAS AS350B3
- Reported engine: TMECA ARRIEL2B1
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 4,800 total, 100 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081011848209A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON OCTOBER 11, 2008, AT APPROXIMATELY 12:30 MOUNTAIN TIME, A EUROCOPTER AS-350-B3 BEING OPERATED BY AN OMNIFLIGHT INC PILOT STRUCK A SMALL ABANDONED POWER LINE AFTER DEPARTING FROM AN OFF AIRPORT SITE ON A TRAINING EXERCISE ABOUT THREE MILES WEST OF ALBERTON, MONTANA.  VISUAL METEORLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND A COMPANY FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED.  THE WIRE WHICH WAS ABOUT A QUARTER INCH IN DIAMETER CRACKED THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE LEFT RIGHT SIDES AS THE WIRE BROKE.  THIS OCCURRED AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 75 TO 90 FEET ABOVE THE RIVER DURING A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN.  THE PILOT DID NOT SEE THE WIRE OR THE TWO SUPPORTING POLES AS THEY WERE OBSECURED BY TREES.  HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HIT, BUT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO INSPECT THE HELICOPTER.  HE THEN CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE FROM HIS COMPANY.  THE HELICOPTER WAS TRAILERED BACK TO THE MISSOULA AIRPORT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT WINDSHIELDS.  THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO THE CREW OF THREE.  THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT THE MISSOULA, MT COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER THAT MORNING AT 10:00 AM.

## NTSB investigation

None matched to this report by aircraft and date. Search the NTSB's own records: https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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