# NTSB LAX94LA038: Aerospatiale SA-341G, N76WH, Lake Berryessa, CA, November 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1993, 11:22 local (19:22 UTC)
- Place: Lake Berryessa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.550312, -122.149879 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5503&lon=-122.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28591
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28591/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA038

## Probable cause

the pilot's selection of an inadequate obstacle clearance cruise altitude.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The private pilot and three passengers were on a scenic flight over a state recreation area.  Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter flying low, then disappear into a cloud of dust.  The helicopter had collided with two 115,000-volt power lines.  The pilot maintained control of the helicopter, but landed hard with wire strike damage to the hydraulic system and canopy.  The pilot stated that he simply did not see the wires prior to the strike.  The pilot stated that the wires were not marked.  The wires are depicted on the San Francisco Sectional Aeronautical Chart.

## Factual narrative

On November 6, 1993, at 1122 hours Pacific standard time, an Aerospatiale SA-341G helicopter, N76WH, was substantially damaged during a wire strike and a forced landing near Lake Berryessa, California.  Neither the pilot nor his three passengers were injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter had departed Calistoga, California, at about 1030 on the morning of the accident.

Pacific Gas and Electric reported that the helicopter had struck two 115,000-volt power lines at the Lake Berryessa Recreation Area near the Pleasure Cove Resort.  The power outage was recorded at 1122 hours.

Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter flying low, then disappear into a cloud of dust.

In a verbal statement the pilot said that he simply did not see the power lines prior to the collision.  The pilot stated that the wires were not marked.  The San Francisco Sectional Aeronautical Chart depicts the wires on the chart.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N76WH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-341G
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1456
- Airframe hours: 1955
- Engines: TURBOMECA 3A 550 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Everything Flyable Inc.
- Registered owner: Edward P. Roski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1993, 85 hours before
- Departed: NONE, CALISTOGA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,265 total, 67 in this make and model, 1,170 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19931106042369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931106042369A), Nov 6, 1993: Snias SA341G, Lake Berryessa, CA, Substantial damage. Struck high voltage power line flying low unsafe altitude.

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.

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