# NTSB ATL97LA086: McDonnell Douglas MDHC-369E, N765KV, Okahumpka, FL, June 13, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 1997, 08:51 local (12:51 UTC) - Place: Okahumpka, FL - Coordinates: 28.739439, -81.889472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7394&lon=-81.8895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3860 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3860/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA086 ## Probable cause The failure of the crewmember to use the necessary safety equipment, and his subsequent fall from an elevated platform. A factor was the crewmember's distraction with an animal. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, hover - object - animal(s) - miscellaneous equipment - not used, other crewmember (cause) - diverted attention, other crewmember (contributing factor) ## Analysis After completing work on a power line, the pilot saw a wild pig running below the helicopter. The pilot and crew member agreed to hover over it and get a closer look. The crewmember then removed his safety harness. When the pig ran into some high grass, they climbed to continue to watch the pig. As they hovered, the pilot heard a noise from the crewmember, and the pilot turned in time to see the crewmember fall from the platform. The safety harness normally worn by power line workers was found to be in good condition with no indication of failure. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 1997, at 0851 eastern daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas MDHC-369E, N765KV, had a crewmember fall from a platform during a stable hover near Okahumpka, Florida. The helicopter was operated by Haverfield Corporation under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 133 and visual flight rules. The prevailing weather was visual meteorological conditions. The airplane was not damaged. The commercial pilot was not injured, but the one crewmember received serious injury. The power line repair flight originated from the Central Florida substation at 0815. As the power line worker was repairing structure #13, he was strapped to the helicopter by a harness. After completing the work, the pilot saw a wild pig running below them. Both agreed, by their two-way radio connection, that they wanted a closer look at the pig. The pilot descended to hover over the pig. At this point, the worker unhooked his harness, but remained outside the helicopter. They remained over the pig for approximately one minute. The pig then went into some high grass, so the crewmember asked the pilot to climb to a higher altitude. The pilot returned them to a 40 foot hover. When the aircraft was stable, the pilot heard a noise, and he turned in time to see the worker fall head first off the platform. The pilot landed next to the crewmember and called an ambulance. The paramedics airlifted the worker to the hospital, where he received medical attention. A FAA inspector examined the harness and helmet worn by the worker, and they were both found to be in good condition, with no indication of failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N765KV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N765KV), registered now, S/N 0082E, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas MDHC-369E - Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters 369E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-369e) (registry code 4470707) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0082E - Airframe hours: 12114 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: No damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Registered owner: Haverfield Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, June 8, 1997, 12 hours before - Departed: NONE, ORLANDO, FL - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 5,300 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OCF, 25 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970613014189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970613014189A), Jun 13, 1997: Hughes 369E, Okahumka, FL. While repairing highline tower began chasing a pig. Crewman fell of helicopter platform. (-23) helicopter is utilized for power line repairs and is certified… ## Other investigations on N765KV (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 ERA17LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA209), Jun 23, 2017: Hughes 369 (N765KV), Dennis, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The unporting of fuel due to the helicopter's nose-up attitude during long line operations, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.