# NTSB WPR14LA008: Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369, N530KF, Paducah, TX, October 6, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 6, 2013, 12:17 local (17:17 UTC) - Place: Paducah, TX - Coordinates: 33.939445, -100.072219 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9394&lon=-100.0722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88177/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88177 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA008 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power transmission line tower while maneuvering to pick up a rope in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome - [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was maneuvering the helicopter into position near a 150-foot-tall power transmission line tower to prepare to attach a line to a rope and pull it through a traveler for power line construction. The wind had increased and was gusting, and the main rotor blades struck the tower. The helicopter spun around, and the tail rotor subsequently struck the tower. The tail rotor and tail rotor gearbox separated from the helicopter as it descended to the ground. A postcrash fire consumed the wreckage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the gusting wind conditions negatively affected the pilot's ability to maintain sufficient clearance from the tower while maneuvering into position. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event) - [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N530KF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N530KF-2017-10-17), registration cancelled 2017-10-17, S/N 0097FF, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO 369 (FF) - Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-heli-369ff) (registry code 3027371) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250 20&30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-20-30-series) (registry code 54584, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0097FF - Year built: 1994 - Airframe hours: 7157 - Engines: Rolls Royce C30 640 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: External load, Part 133 - Operator: Rogers Aviation - Registered owner: Rogers Robin M - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 2013, 32 hours before - Departed: Paducah, TX - Destination: Paducah, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: fatal; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,550 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 13 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KCDS, 31 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 20131006019479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131006019479A), Oct 6, 2013: Mcdonnell Douglas Heli Co 369FF, Paducah, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On October 6, 2013, at 1220 l, a MD-369 helicopter bearing registration number N530KF, operated by rogers helicopter, inc hit a powerline pole while conducting… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 27, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88177. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413816&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 336 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413817&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Childress Surface Weather (item 3, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413818&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Childress%20Surface%20Weather-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 4, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413819&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-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.