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Helicopter pilot reported his aircraft became entangled in wire from an abandoned well during an aerial application flight. During the escape maneuver the helicopter contacted power lines.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1373285 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201607 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Kiowa/Kiowa Warrior/Combat Scout |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 137 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Climb |
| Route In Use | Direct Visual Approach |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 140 Flight Crew Total 1590 Flight Crew Type 900 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft Ground Event / Encounter Object |
Narrative:
While making an aerial application to a corn field; my helicopter's right skid became entangled in what may best be described as a well wire no longer in use. The wire didn't break away; instead dragged right side of aircraft into corn field; causing right spray boom to make contact with corn; [resulting in] damage. I tried to escape the drag placed on the aircraft by the corn and I was able to gain altitude but my egress routes were limited to downwind and uphill; or crosswind and over tall trees or headwind and over 50 feet power lines. I chose to attempt upwind and over power lines but still entangled in well wire and unable to gain enough altitude to clear the power lines. I did make contact with and subsequently broke the chin glass on aircraft and caused the power line to break. After hitting power line I was able to recover and safely land aircraft with no further damage to myself or aircraft. After landing and during post incident inspection a large amount of well wire was found wrapped around right skid.my perceptions are saving more critical areas prone [to] more obstacles till the end of the application would have given me a lighter and more responsive aircraft; if during ingress and egress an obstacle is suddenly realized. Extra care during recon of older abandoned home sites and possible hazards they may present; also more information from land owner prior to application in regards to potential hazards.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Helicopter pilot reported his aircraft became entangled in wire from an abandoned well during an aerial application flight. During the escape maneuver the helicopter contacted power lines.
Narrative: While making an aerial application to a corn field; my helicopter's right skid became entangled in what may best be described as a well wire no longer in use. The wire didn't break away; instead dragged right side of aircraft into corn field; causing right spray boom to make contact with corn; [resulting in] damage. I tried to escape the drag placed on the aircraft by the corn and I was able to gain altitude but my egress routes were limited to downwind and uphill; or crosswind and over tall trees or headwind and over 50 feet power lines. I chose to attempt upwind and over power lines but still entangled in well wire and unable to gain enough altitude to clear the power lines. I did make contact with and subsequently broke the chin glass on aircraft and caused the power line to break. After hitting power line I was able to recover and safely land aircraft with no further damage to myself or aircraft. After landing and during post incident inspection a large amount of well wire was found wrapped around right skid.My perceptions are saving more critical areas prone [to] more obstacles till the end of the application would have given me a lighter and more responsive aircraft; if during ingress and egress an obstacle is suddenly realized. Extra care during recon of older abandoned home sites and possible hazards they may present; also more information from land owner prior to application in regards to potential hazards.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.