Bell OH 58A
Carson City, NV — October 27, 2018
Event Information
| Date | October 27, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA039 |
| Event ID | 20181028X04939 |
| Location | Carson City, NV |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.20889, -119.80473 |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | Bell |
| Model | OH 58A |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 3 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 3 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude in hilly terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to determine the airplane’s altitude due to sun glare.
Full Narrative
The helicopter pilot reported that, while maneuvering at a low altitude the main rotor blades struck power lines. He executed an emergency landing without further incident. The pilot added that the power lines were concealed by the sun and that the power lines were not annotated in his VFR sectional chart.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.