# Accident 20210325006839A: Hughes 369D, Lake City, KS, March 25, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 25, 2021, 13:30 local time
- Place: Lake City, KS
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: 4EGL
- Location: 37.3624° N, 98.8123° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3624&lon=-98.8123&mi=10
- Aircraft: N41AJ, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41AJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20 (registry code 54178, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport
- Pilot flight hours: 22,704 total, 880 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN21LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA165) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210325006839A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT OF THE HELICOPTER WAS FLYING A STRAPPED IN LINEMAN ATTACHING BIRD DIVERTERS TO OPGW WIRE (FIBER OPTIC CABLE) WITH 6-9 KNOT WINDS WITH VMC CONDITIONS.

A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO DRIFT INTO THE WIRE MAKING CONTACT WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES.   THE HELICOPTER REMAINED STABLE ALLOWING A CONTROLLED DECENT AND LANDING.  NO INJURIES.  THERE WAS NO OTHER OBSERVABLE DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER.

## 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 CEN21LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA165), Mar 25, 2021: Hughes 369D (N41AJ), Lake City, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during power line maintenance.

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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