LAX03FA054

The helicopter collided with power transmission lines while flying low over a highway and impacted desert terrain. Several witnesses stated that they observed the helicopter flying over the highway at a very low altitude and saw the helicopter's skids impacted power lines running perpendicular to the highway. The helicopter then rolled on it's side and fell to the ground. The helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on the side of the road. Wires/cables in the area are required to be a minimum of 30 feet above ground level.

History of flight

On December 23, 2002, at 1137 mountain standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N888KB, collided with power transmission lines and impacted desert terrain near Dolan Springs, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injuries; the helicopter was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The personal cross-country flight originated from McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, at an unknown time.

In an interview with a first-responding Sheriff's Deputy, a witness reported that he was in his automobile traveling southbound on the highway I-93. About 30 miles from Kingman, Arizona, a helicopter passed over the car in a southerly direction and he noted that it appeared to be cruising at a low altitude. When the helicopter was about ¼ mile in front of him, he saw the helicopter skids catch the power lines that ran across the highway. The helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on the side of the road.

Several other witnesses stated that they observed the helicopter flying over the highway at a very low altitude. The helicopter's skids impacted power lines running perpendicular to the highway. One witness recalled that after making contact with the power lines the helicopter plummeted toward terrain and rolled.

Personnel information

The pilot's logbooks were not located.

Review of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman Certification records disclosed that the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and rotorcraft-helicopter.

Review of the FAA Medical Certification records revealed that the pilot held a third-class medical issued on August 04, 2000, with a limitation to wear glasses for near vision. At that time he reported his total flight time as 500 hours.

Aircraft information

The helicopter airframe, engine, and maintenance logbooks were not located.

Medical and pathological information

The Kingman Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy on the pilot; the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed a toxicological analysis. The results of the toxicological analysis were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol and drugs.

Additional information

In a telephone conversation with a Safety Board investigator, a power company lineman, reported that the wires/cables in the area are required to be a minimum of 30 feet above ground level.