FTW95FA020

A witness saw the helicopter approach a parking lot behind his residence and thought it was going to land. The helicopter suddenly pulled up and collided with a power line. The witness saw parts separate from the helicopter as it spun to the ground. No preimpact mechanical malfunction was found. Toxicology tests of the pilot's blood showed 0.003 ug/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana), and 0.012 ug/ml tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marijuana metabolite); also, cocaine and benzoylecgonine (cocaine metabolite) were detected in his blood. A test of his urine showed 0.169 ug/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol.

History of flight

On October 22, 1994, approximately 1030 mountain daylight time, N5905X, a Brantly B-2, was destroyed when it collided with a power line and impacted terrain while maneuvering at Artesia, New Mexico. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

A witness saw the helicopter approach a parking lot behind his residence and thought it was going to land. The helicopter suddenly pulled up and collided with a 69,000 volt power line. The witness saw parts separate from the helicopter as it spun to the ground. There was post-impact fire.

Personnel information

The pilot's logbook contained entries from July 18, 1980, to November 30, 1991. In the memorandum section of the logbook was an entry indicating the pilot had received a biennial flight review on April 4, 1993, in a Cessna 150 (0.6 hours) and in a Brantly B2B (2.0 hours). The pilot held an advanced ground instructor certificate.

Wreckage and impact information

The wreckage, confined to a vacant lot, was scattered for 375 feet and aligned on a magnetic heading of 180 degrees. Across the street was a spliced power line. To the south was a splinted pole. Paint and antiskid material was scuffed off the top of the left skid in a "chatter" fashion. The leading edge of two main rotor blades, outboard of the lead-lag hinge, bore the same type of damage. Fire damage was confined to the cockpit and engine areas.

Medical and pathological information

Autopsy and toxicological protocols (4681-1094-5E) were performed by the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A toxicological screen was also performed by FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI). According to the Medical Investigator's report, cannabinoids (marijuana) was detected in the urine, and 5.9% saturation of carbon monoxide was detected femoral blood. According to CAMI's report, 0.003 ug/ml tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana) was detected in blood; 0.012 ug/ml tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marijuana metabolite) was detected in blood, and 0.169 ug/ml tetrahydrocannabinol was detected in urine. According to a CAMI spokesman, these levels indicate the pilot was exposed to the drug within the previous 2 hours. Cocaine and benzoylecgonine (cocaine metabolite) was also detected in the blood. The CAMI spokesperson also reported that the pilot's peripheral vision would have been affected by the combination of these drugs.

Additional information

The wreckage was released to the owner's representative on October 23, 1994.