# NTSB WPR10LA048: Piasecki/Pike PV-18, N183YP, Adelanto, CA, November 7, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 2009, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Adelanto, CA - Coordinates: 34.521945, -117.462501 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5219&lon=-117.4625&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75019 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75019/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75019 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA048 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during en route flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piasecki/Pike Joseph W PV-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=6980403), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piasecki/Pike Joseph W PV-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=6980403), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piasecki/Pike Joseph W PV-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=6980403), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis A pilot reported that he was flying his airplane about 0.5 mile behind and slightly above the accident helicopter. He had established radio contact with the two pilots during their takeoff and then made multiple unanswered radio calls to the pilots to warn them about approaching power lines. The main rotor blade struck the power lines and the helicopter subsequently descended into the terrain below and was consumed by a postcrash fire. On scene examination of the wreckage revealed evidence of engine rotation; no anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On November 7, 2009, about 0830 Pacific standard time (PST), an experimental Piasecki/Pike PV-18, N183YP, collided with high tension wires and then terrain near Adelanto, California. The owner/pilot was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The two commercial pilots and one passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged by impact forces and post crash fire. The local personal flight departed Adelanto Airport (52CL) about 0825, with a planned destination of Riverside, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. A witness pilot, who was flying about .5 miles behind and slightly above the accident helicopter, stated that he had established radio contact with the two pilots during their takeoff. Just prior to the accident, the witness pilot made multiple unanswered radio calls to the pilots to warn them about the approaching wires. The witness pilot further stated that he felt the helicopter was "laboring" at about 300 feet; however, he did not observe any smoke or other visible malfunction. The main rotor blade struck the power lines and the helicopter subsequently descended into the desert terrain below and was consumed by fire. On scene examination of the wreckage revealed evidence of engine rotation. No anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N183YP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N183YP-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 18-1, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIASECKI/PIKE PV-18 - Registry model: [Piasecki/Pike Joseph W PV-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piasecki-pike-joseph-w-pv-18) (registry code 6980403) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental R-975 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-r-975-series) (registry code 17037, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 18-1 - Engines: CONT MOTOR R-975 SER 550 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 52CL, Adelanto, CA - Destination: RIR, Riverside, CA - Airport: 52CL, Adelanto Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,000 total - Pilot; age 58; injuries: fatal; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,523 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: VCV, 7 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 20091107021769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091107021769A), Nov 7, 2009: Piasec PV18, Adelanto, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. The aircraft was an experimental exibition being flow from Adelanto, CA. To flabob, CA. When it experienced an unknown problem in flight, and it contacted the… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75019. 2.8 MB in all. - Witness Statement (item 1, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346665&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Toxicological Report - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report%20-%20Pilot%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report - Passenger #1 (item 3, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report%20-%20Passenger%20%231-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report - Passenger #2 (item 4, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346668&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report%20-%20Passenger%20%232-Master.PDF - San Bernardino Sheriff On Scene Photos (item 5, .PDF, 17 photos, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346814&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=San%20Bernardino%20Sheriff%20On%20Scene%20Photos-Master.PDF - Photo - Engine Rotation Signatures (item 6, .PDF, 555 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346956&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Engine%20Rotation%20Signatures-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.