Hughes 369D accident near Corning, NY
On November 15, 2012, a Hughes 369D (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Corning, NY. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 15, 2012
- Place
- Corning, NY
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369D · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 42.148°N, 77.042°W
- NTSB ID
- 20121115X43423
Official records · ERA13LA057
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn November 15, 2012, at 1211 eastern standard time, a Hughes 369D, N369AW, operated by Haverfield Aviation Inc., was substantially damaged following a collision with power lines and terrain in Corning, New York. The commercial pilot and the observer were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport (ELM), Horseheads, New York, about 1145. The aerial observation flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The observer was a utility company employee. According to the operator, the helicopter was temporarily based at the Tri-Cities Airport (CZG) in Endicott, New York, and was being utilized to inspect the power lines after a recent storm. The helicopter conducted an uneventful flight earlier in the day and was subsequently refueled at ELM, before continuing survey operations. Witnesses observed the helicopter flying west, down a hill over power lines which extended east to west. One witness stated that the helicopter appeared below the highest tower, shortly before it struck the top of power lines that extended to the south, perpendicular to the helicopter's flight path. The witness further stated that he did not hear any changes in the rhythm of the rotor blades prior to the impact. The tail rotor assembly separated, the helicopter impacted the ground and came to rest inverted. A postcrash fire consumed a majority of the main wreckage. On site examination of the helicopter was performed by a Federal Aviati
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude while conducting a power line aerial observation flight, which resulted in an in-flight collision with wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of total experience in the type of operation.
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Browse: New York · 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.
