Mcdonnell Douglas 369E accident near Thibodaux, LA
On December 5, 1995, a Mcdonnell Douglas 369E (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Thibodaux, LA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 5, 1995
- Place
- Thibodaux, LA
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas 369E · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 29.790°N, 90.819°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X04992
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT: On December 5, 1995, at 1201 central standard time, a McDonnell Douglas 369E, N16089, collided with power lines and a pole while hovering out of ground (OGE) effect near Thibodaux, Louisiana. The commercial pilot received minor injuries and the other crewmember (airborne workman) sustained fatal injuries. Haverfield Corporation of Miami, Florida, was operating the helicopter under a Title 14 CFR Part 133 Operating Certificate at the time of the accident. The flight had been working on the area power line since about 0730. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight and a company (VFR) flight plan was filed. During a personal interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the helicopter staging area was located about one mile from the power line and, after refueling, the flight had been airborne about 45 minutes before the accident. The helicopter was hovering stationary and parallel to the power lines, about 55 feet AGL, in an east southeasterly direction with winds from the southwest (200 to 210 degrees) at 5 knots or higher (10 knots). The crew member, held by a safety harness, was working from the left side of the platform and was installing a shield wire (overhead ground wire) in roller blocks. While hovering the helicopter with the left side of the work platform about 4 inches from the shield wire, the "cyclic suddenly moved to the left and maybe slightly forward." The aircraft "immediately started moving to the left into the pole and line." The pilot stated that he was "trying to stop the cyclic" and
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the power line and utility pole. The gusty/crosswind (weather) condition was a related factor.
More accidents in LA
- Sikorsky S-76C, Jan 4, 2009
- Cessna 411A, May 8, 1986
- Piper PA 31T, Dec 28, 2019
- Beech E90, Jun 24, 2005
- Bell 206L-3, May 10, 1994
Browse: Louisiana · Mcdonnell Douglas aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
