Hughes OH-6A accident near Monroe, NC
On January 22, 2009, a Hughes OH-6A (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Monroe, NC. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- January 22, 2009
- Place
- Monroe, NC
- Aircraft
- Hughes OH-6A · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.977°N, 80.565°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090122X30337
Official records · ERA09LA139
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 22, 2009, about 1030 eastern standard time, a Hughes OH-6A, N4191A, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground after making contact with high tension power lines near Monroe, North Carolina. The helicopter departed Monroe Regional Airport (EQY), Monroe, North Carolina about 1000. The certificated flight instructor received serious injuries and the certificated commercial pilot-rated-passenger was killed. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time for the local flight and no flight plan was filed. According to employees at the airport, the two pilots were planning on flying the helicopter from EQY to Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to the accident flight their plans had changed and they decided to remain in the local area and practice viewing power lines from the air, while calibrating the global position system (GPS). The helicopter was seen flying over downtown Monroe about 1010 and according to an eyewitness, everything looked and sounded normal. Another eyewitness, who saw the helicopter approximately 3 miles from the accident site, stated that everything sounded normal and he estimated the helicopters altitude as 100 feet above ground level (agl). One eyewitness reported seeing the helicopter impact the power lines. This eyewitness stated that he was outside of his place of business when an employee drew his attention to the helicopter. He looked up, saw the helicopter impact the power lines, and then blue flashes of light. He
Probable cause
The pilot-rated-passenger’s failure to maintain clearance from a known wire hazard during low-level maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command’s inadequate monitoring of the flight.
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Browse: North Carolina · Hughes 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.
