# Accident 20100421032529A: Mcdonnell D 369E, Brookline, VT, April 21, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 21, 2010, 11:00 local time
- Place: Brookline, VT
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: X2RL
- Location: 42.9975° N, 72.6208° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9975&lon=-72.6208&mi=10
- Aircraft: N400MB, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N400MB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E (registry code 3027369, https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-helicopter-369e) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL D 369E
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250-C20 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,200 total, 8,500 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA10LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA238) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100421032529A

## Narrative

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

HELICOPTER OPERATD BY COMPANY NAMED AIR-2, LLC.  CREW OF TWO; PILOT IN LEFT FRONT SEAT, LINE WORKER ON DOOR SILL & LEFT SKID BEHIND PILOT, WERE ASSISTING WITH HIGH TENSION POWER LINE CONSTRUCTION ON HILL-SIDE WORK SITE IN BROOKLINE, VT.  THEY WERE HEADED SOUTH, HOVERING AT 50FT, JUST WEST OF THE LINES AND SLIGHTLY TO THE SOUTH OF SUPPORT STRUCTURE #144. THEY WERE INSTALLING A PULLEY (HOLD-DOWN BLOCK) ON A PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED ROPE (CABLE-PULL) LINE.  THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE ROPE (CABLE PULL) LINE AND THEN FELL ONTO THE TOWER GUY-WIRES. THE ROPE WAS CUT AND WRAPPED SEVERAL TIMES AROUND THE MAIN ROTOR MAST JUST BELOW THE SWASH PLATE.  THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE  HEADED NORTH ON THE STEEP EMBANKMENT JUST SOUTH OF THE SUPPORT TOWER. BOTH OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WERE HOSPITALIZED. THE PILOT WAS RELEASED WITHIN 72 HOURS, HE SAID IT SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE SOMETHING HIT THE MAIN ROTOR. THE LINE WORKER HAS MORE SERIOUS INJURIES AND WILL REQUIRE EXTENSIVE MEDICAL CARE, HE SAW ONE WAVE PASS ALONG THE ROPE AND MISSED THEM, BUT THE SECOND WAVE STRUCK THE MAIN ROTOR.THE HELICOPTER IS A TOTAL LOSS.  THIRD PARTY PROPERTY DAMAGE IS NOT SIGNIFICANT, WITH SOME DAMAGE TO THE TOWER SUPPORT WIRES AND LINE INSTALLATION EQUIPMENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA10LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA238), Apr 21, 2010: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E (N400MB), Newfane, VT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a rope while maneuvering during powerline operations for undetermined reasons.

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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