SEA97LA072

While maneuvering his helicopter to finish off the aerial application of chemicals on a field of coniferous trees, the pilot accidentally flew into a power transmission line that ran across the center of the field. According to the pilot, he knew the power line was there, but he had trouble seeing it because of the ambient lighting conditions caused by the overcast sky.

On March 14, 1997, approximately 0900 Pacific standard time, a turbine-powered Hiller UH-12E helicopter, N545HA, impacted an electrical transmission wire during a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight near Glide, Oregon. The airline transport pilot received minor injuries, and the aircraft, which was being operated by Western Helicopter Services, Inc., sustained substantial damage. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had been in the air about ten minutes, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to the pilot, who was spraying coniferous trees, he had finished most of the field of trees and was using up his remaining chemical by adding to areas that may not have received full coverage. He knew there was a power line running through the center of the field, but he had trouble seeing it in the light conditions caused by the overcast sky. While maneuvering around the filed, he accidentally flew into the wire, resulting in the helicopter's main rotor mast and main rotor blades impacting the wire.