DFW06TA054

The 1,672 hour commercial pilot departed the operations base near the border on a routine patrol of the Rio Grande River dividing the two countries. Upon reaching the limits of his search area he reversed course to return to home base. On the return leg he decided to search an area where he had noticed two law enforcement airboats operating north of the port of entry. The pilot reported on the Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that he recalled seeing two sets of power lines on the outbound leg of his patrol. After crossing the first set of power lines and locating the airboats he began a turn to orbit the boats. The pilot added that when he looked up and saw that he was about to hit the second set of wires, he instinctly initiated a cyclic climb to clear the wires; however, the maneuver was initiated too late and the tail rotor impacted the wires resulting in the separation of the tail rotor gear box, tail rotor assembly, and vertical fin. The pilot managed to keep the helicopter in controlled flight and elected to execute an autorotation to a clearing. The helicopter made a successful autorotation and landed upright in the middle of the river, 853 feet from the point of the wire strike. The helicopter came to rest in about 3 feet of water, and the pilot performed an emergency engine shutdown and egressed through the pilot door with assistance from the crews of the airboats.

On January 12, 2006, approximately 1600 central standard time, a single-engine Aerospatiale AS350-B2 turbo-shaft helicopter, N840BP, registered to and operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Air Operations, was substantially damaged when it impacted wires while maneuvering near Eagle Pass, Texas. The 1,672 hour commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight plan was filed for the public use flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight departed Del Rio International Airport (DRT), near Del Rio, Texas, approximately 1500.

A Customs and Border Patrol Safety Officer performed an on-scene examination of the wreckage. The Safety Officer reported that unmarked transmission wires were approximately 100 feet above the water at the impact point and that the helicopter made a successful autorotation and landed upright in the middle of the Rio Grande River, 853 feet from the point of the wire strike. The helicopter came to rest in about 3 feet of water, and the pilot performed an emergency engine shutdown and egressed through the pilot door unassisted. The pilot stated that prior to impacting the wires, his attention was diverted to locating the airboats on the water and searching for ground activity and failed to recognize his proximity to the set of power lines.

The wreckage of the helicopter was recovered to the facilities of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Air Operations, at Del Rio, Texas, for further examination.

At 1540 CST, the automated weather reporting facility at Piedras Negras, Mexico (MMPG), located approximately 6 miles south of the accident site reported wind light and variable, visibility 7 statute miles, scattered clouds at 16,000 feet, temperature 79 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 54 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.77 inches of Mercury.