# NTSB NYC07CA072: Sud SE3130 Alouette II, N226RW, Davenport, VA, March 8, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 8, 2007, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Davenport, VA
- Coordinates: 37.277778, -82.388885
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2778&lon=-82.3889&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65394
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65394/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA072

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an in flight collision with utility wires during takeoff, and a subsequent impact with terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot was flying pipeline patrol in a helicopter, while the copilot monitored the pipeline on a laptop computer.  During the patrol, the laptop computer malfunctioned, and the pilot landed in a field while the copilot attempted to repair the laptop computer.  After the laptop computer was repaired, the pilot hover taxied to the end of the field, and began a takeoff run.  During the takeoff run, at an altitude of 40 feet and airspeed of 30 to 40 knots, the helicopter struck utility wires.  The helicopter subsequently impacted a field and came to rest on its right side.  The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of an Alouette II helicopter stated that he was flying a pipeline patrol, while the copilot monitored the pipeline on a laptop computer.  During the patrol, the laptop computer malfunctioned, and the pilot landed in a field while the copilot attempted to repair the laptop computer.  After the laptop computer was repaired, the pilot hover taxied to the end of the field, and began a takeoff run.  During the takeoff run, at an altitude of 40 feet and airspeed of 30 to 40 knots, the helicopter struck utility wires.  The helicopter subsequently impacted a field and came to rest on its right side.  During the impact, the helicopter sustained substantial damage.  The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N226RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N226RW-2013-02-25), registration cancelled 2013-02-25, S/N 1868, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Sud Aviation SE3130 Alouette II
- Registry model: [Sud SE3130 ALOUETTE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/sud-se3130-alouette-ii) (registry code 8680210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARTOUSTE II series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-artouste-ii-series) (registry code 60002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1868
- Engines: Turbomeca Artouste II turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Marpat Aviation
- Registered owner: Mikes Contracting LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 6V3, Richlands, VA
- Destination: LNP, Wise, VA
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 595 total, 270 in this make and model, 505 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: LNP, 15 nm away

## 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 20070308014669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070308014669A), Mar 8, 2007: Snias SE3130, Davenport, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Gas pipeline patrol helicopter on departure into sun from remote grass field. Aircraft struck virtually invisible power lines approximately 35 feet AGL…

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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