AAIB investigation to Robinson R44 Raven, G-HWKS
Struck power lines, near Sketrick Island, County Down, 26 February 2019.
Summary:
The pilot was flying an approach to a private site on Sketrick Island. As he made his final approach over the water between the Island and the mainland, the helicopter struck electrical power lines which were strung from the mainland to the island. The pilot decided to land the helicopter immediately on the nearest road. Damage to the helicopter was to the main rotor blades as well as some limited damage to the mast and tail cone. There were no injuries to the pilot or passengers.
Wires and power lines can be very difficult to see from the air, with poles often providing the pilot with the only indication that they are there. Poles, especially wooden ones can be camouflaged by the landscape or hidden by trees. Wires and power lines can often be encountered in unexpected places especially in rural areas and they can present a significant danger to all types of aircraft. Careful preparation and reconnaissance can reduce the risks when landing at a site. Using freely available mapping tools such as Google Earth, it is possible to see wires and power lines which might affect the flight but which are not marked on aviation charts.
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