WPR14LA008

On October 6, 2013, at 1217 central daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas 369FF, N530KF, collided with a power transmission line tower while maneuvering to pick up a rope for the external load operation. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Rogers Aviation under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 133. The helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a local area staging site. The pilot was maneuvering the helicopter near a 150 foot tall power transmission line tower in preparation to attach a line to a rope to pull it through a traveller for power line construction. Ground crew, whose boom truck was positioned near the base of the tower, reported that the boom truck basket was positioned at the bottom traveler about 100 feet above ground level. The rope had been threaded through the top traveler. As the helicopter was maneuvering into position to pick up the rope, the wind had picked up and become gusty. As the pilot was maneuvering the helicopter, the main rotor blades struck the tower and the top traveler located about 140 feet above ground level. The helicopter spun around and the tail rotor struck the tower. The tail rotor and tail rotor gearbox separated from the helicopter as it descended rapidly to the ground near the base of the tower. A postcrash fire consumed the wreckage. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The 34 year old pilot held flight certificates for commercial rotorcraft with an instrument rating, and a certified flight instructor for rotorcraft/instrument rotorcraft. The pilot held a class II Federal Aviation Administration medical certificate issued on July 10, 2013, with no waivers/limitations. The pilot began employment with Rogers Aviation on July 8, 2013. At this time, the pilot reported a total flight time of 4,550 hours. A 14 CFR Part 133 check ride was passed and the pilot had been flying external load and power line operations. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The helicopter, model 369FF, was manufactured by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company in 1994, and was equipped with a Rolls-Royce C30 turbo shaft engine. As of the last 100 hour inspection, which was completed on October 1, 2013, the helicopter had accumulated 7,157 total flight hours. The helicopter was equipped with a side-pull kit with a 30 foot line attached to the left side of the machine. The helicopter had just been refueled with 60 gallons of fuel in the main tank and 20 gallons in the auxiliary tank. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The nearest weather reporting facility was located 31 nautical miles north of the accident site at Childress Municipal airport, Childress, Texas. The surface weather at 1153 reported wind from 350 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The sky was clear and visibility was 10 statute miles. At 1253, the wind was from 330 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 18knots. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The helicopter came to rest on its left side at the base of the 150 foot power pole tower. A postcrash fire consumed the cabin area forward of the aft passenger bulkhead. The tail rotor gear box was located between the tower and the boom truck. The tail rotor was found several yards south of the gear box. There was no report of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed on the pilot by South Plains Forensic Pathology; P.A. The cause of death was attributed to blunt force injuries of the torso with smoke and soot inhalation. Samples for toxicology were sent to the Federal Aviation Administration Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for analysis. The report stated 24% carbon monoxide was detected in the blood. Additional tests for cyanide, ethanol, and tested for drugs were negative.