CHI04FA214

The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire after it collided with a static wire spanning a lake bay inlet about 80 feet above the surface of the water. The Fenestron (tail rotor) assembly separated from the tail boom when it struck the wire and the helicopter subsequently entered an uncontrolled descent. The main helicopter body impacted a single-family residence located near the shoreline and came to rest on the ground next to the home. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. One person in the residence sustained minor injuries. Witnesses at several locations along the flight path reported a low-flying helicopter matching the description of the accident aircraft. One witness noted that it was "very fast" and at or below the top of their 70-foot high silos. Two witnesses to the accident sequence reported that they were in a boat on the lake and that they saw the helicopter descend toward their position. One of them noted that the aircraft's flight path was "very direct" and that it was not "wavering." As the helicopter passed overhead, they recalled components coming off the aircraft. They both stated that when they looked back the power lines were "bouncing." A third witness reported that she saw the helicopter dip low toward the water and then come back up toward the power lines. She saw the tail separate from the helicopter and the aircraft went over trees on the opposite side of the lake from her position. The power company reported that power was automatically interrupted in the area at the time of the accident. Technicians dispatched to the site reported that one of the static wires was wrapped around a transmission line. A post accident inspection of the helicopter did not reveal any anomalies associated with a pre impact failure. The Fenestron fracture surface exhibited directional metal transfer features and transferred zinc consistent with impact with a galvanized steel static line.

History of flight

On August 6, 2004, at 1959 central daylight time, a Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter, N450CM, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed during an in-flight collision with a single-family residence and a post-impact fire near Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. One person in the residence sustained minor injuries. The flight departed the Rochester International Airport (RST), Rochester, Minnesota, approximately 1858.

Records indicate that on the day of the accident, the accident pilot departed Billings, Montana (BIL), and flew to Belle Fourche, South Dakota (EFC), Huron, South Dakota (HON), and to Rochester, Minnesota (RST).

An acquaintance of the pilot reported that the intended destination for the accident flight was Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She noted that the pilot was on a tour of the United States.

The Sauk County Sheriff's Department conducted witness interviews after the accident and compiled witness statements. Several witnesses reported seeing a dark colored, low flying helicopter shortly before the time of the accident. Approximate locations of six witnesses were plotted on a sectional aeronautical chart. The number designations noted below correspond to the labels on the plot. The plot is included with the docket material associated with this accident file.

A witness (#1) reportedly located about 12 miles north-northwest of Richland Center, Wisconsin, in an area known as Woodstock, told a sheriff's detective that a dark-colored, "medical type" helicopter flew past his residence toward the southeast between 1915 and 1930. The witness stated that it was flying at or below 200 feet above the hilltops and that it was very loud. The witness reportedly told the detective that the helicopter came through "very, very fast" and was gone.

Two witnesses (#2) located about 11 miles northeast of Richland Center, Wisconsin, in an area known as Pleasant Ridge, reported that a dark blue helicopter flew over their dairy farm about 1930. They estimated it was at an altitude of 50 feet above ground level (agl) based on the height of one of their silos. One of the witnesses noted that they had put an addition onto the silo, which started at the 50-foot level. She stated that as the helicopter flew over their farm, it was "right at" the 50-foot line.

A witness (#3) in the vicinity of Hillpoint, Wisconsin, told a sheriff's detective that a helicopter flew over her residence at "tree top level" between 1930 and 2000. She commented that it was flying "very fast and very low." She noted that it was eastbound at the time and that there did not appear to be any type of mechanical distress.

Two witnesses (#4) located near Loganville, Wisconsin, reported seeing a dark-colored helicopter flying in a southeasterly direction at an altitude of approximately 40 feet agl. They reportedly based this estimate on some 55-foot trees high near the flight path. They stated that the helicopter was flying below the top of these trees. The witness noted that at one point they thought the helicopter was going to hit a rock outcropping, when at the last minute it maneuvered around it.

Another witness (#5) reported that he was at his home near Loganville, Wisconsin, when he heard a "very loud" noise and went outside to observe a large black helicopter flying "very fast." The witness stated that the aircraft was flying close enough to his silos that he was able to see that it was at or below their tops, which were 70 feet tall.

A witness (#6) approximately 3 miles west of the accident site, stated that the helicopter came in "very fast" over a hill to the north of his location. The witness stated that the helicopter was traveling eastbound and came over his home about 20 feet agl. The witness noted that it was blue in color and approximately the size of a medical evacuation helicopter.

A witness to the accident reported that he was docking his boat in Gruber's Grove Bay when a low flying helicopter drew his attention. He stated he thought that the pilot was descending to "buzz" the bay. He noted that he looked away for a moment to dock the boat. When he looked back the helicopter was passing overhead doing a "slow [forward] roll" with debris coming off the aircraft. He reportedly lost sight of the helicopter as it disappeared over some trees. He noted that a "soft explosion" sound was heard and he observed smoke rising over the trees. He stated that when he looked back to the west, he observed power lines "bouncing."

In a follow-up interview, this witness commented that the power lines were between his position and the helicopter. He described the helicopter's flight path as "very direct" and recalled that the aircraft was not "wavering" as it flew toward them. He stated that he did not observe any smoke and that it sounded normal. He noted that it approached at a high rate of speed, comparable to speeds of fixed-wing aircraft.

A second witness in the same boat stated that she first noticed the helicopter when it was "high up" in the distance. She reported that it kept getting lower, coming directly at them. She stated that the helicopter approached traveling in a straight line and that it sounded normal to her. She commented that she did not see it strike the power lines, but after it passed overhead noticed that the wires were "bouncing." She recalled components coming off the aircraft. The helicopter subsequently disappeared behind some trees. She then heard a sound she thought was the impact and saw flames and smoke.

A third witness to the accident sequence stated that she was inside her home when she noticed the helicopter "dip" towards the opposite side of the lake. The noted that she ran outside and saw the helicopter "weave up and down." It dipped low toward the water and then came back up toward the power lines. She stated that she saw the tail separate from the aircraft and the helicopter went over the trees and impacted a residence across the lake from her location.

An employee of the power company reported that electrical service in the vicinity of Gruber's Grove automatically tripped off at 1958:58. A technician was dispatched to the accident site and reported that one of the static wires was sagging and was wrapped around one of the conductor lines in two locations. He noted that the second static line also appeared to be sagging.

A journey log was recovered at the accident site. It was damaged during the post-impact fire but was partially legible. Log entries included flights throughout the southern and western United States. The initial flight of this trip was from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to Tallahassee. Florida. According to the pilot's logbook, this flight was conducted on June 30, 2004. Subsequent flights included destinations of New Orleans, Louisiana; El Paso, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; San Diego, California; San Francisco, California; South Lake Tahoe, California; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Washington; and Billings, Montana. The last entry in the log was from Huron, South Dakota, to Rochester, Minnesota.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector obtained fueling information for the accident aircraft. The helicopter was fueled at BIL with 70 gallons on August 5th. On August 6th, the day of the accident, the helicopter was fueled at EFC with 89.7 gallons at 1130. The aircraft reportedly departed EFC about 1150. The helicopter was subsequently fueled at HON with 109 gallons about 1500. The aircraft was fueled with 110 gallons at RST about 1834.

Personnel information

The pilot held commercial pilot certificate issued by the FAA with single and multi-engine land airplane and rotorcraft helicopter ratings. His certif