- Date
- March 12, 1982, 13:13 local (18:13 UTC)
- Place
- Spangler, PA
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N9079MRobinson R22
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report March 12, 1983
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19820312003899A
- Case key
- 72657
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
In flight collision with object
Terrain condition - mountainous/hillyFactor
Terrain condition - high vegetationFactor
Object - wire,transmissionFactor
Visual lookout - inadequateCause
Analysis
The helicopter struck a set of north-south powerlines while the pilot was patrolling a set of east-west powerlines. The powerlines being patrolled passed under the lines that were struck. The accident occurred over hilly, wooded terrain.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9079M
- Reported as
- Robinson R22
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 0049
- Airframe hours
- 985
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-A2B, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation · Part 91
- Operator
- Muth Aircraft Company
- Registered owner
- Williams Aircraft Leasing
- Departed
- Newry, PA
- Destination
- Indiana, PA
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 26
- Certificates
- Commercial, Flight instructor
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Flight hours
- 2,690 total · 1,405 in this make and model · 2,370 as pilot in command · 300 in the last 90 days · 9 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Temperature
- 129 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- JST, 18 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.