What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
On August 7, 2025, approximately 11:06 CST, a Hughes (MD helicopters) 369D helicopter was destroyed after the tail of the helicopter struck a guide wire, which partially separated the tailboom from the airframe. The helicopter then spun in the opposite direction and the cockpit hit the power line causing sparks. The helicopter fell onto a barge deck below them and burst into flames.
As the FAA filed it
ON AUGUST 7, 2025, APPROXIMATELY 11:06 CST, A HUGHES (MD HELICOPTERS) 369D HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED AFTER THE TAIL OF THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A GUIDE WIRE, WHICH PARTIALLY SEPARATED THE TAILBOOM FROM THE AIRFRAME. THE HELICOPTER THEN SPUN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND THE COCKPIT HIT THE POWER LINE CAUSING SPARKS. THE HELICOPTER FELL ONTO A BARGE DECK BELOW THEM AND BURST INTO FLAMES.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.