At about 0830 Pacific time, the experimental helicopter collided with high tension wires and crashed, killing the commercial pilot and two passengers. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and the post-crash fire. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness flying behind the accident aircraft in another helicopter watched the PV-18 lift off from the airport and head southbound. He said he saw the helicopter flying southbound but that it stopped climbing and stayed low to the ground. He saw the power lines ahead and tried to warn the accident pilot via radio but received no reply. He saw the helicopter hit the power lines, and then go straight down and burst into flames.
November 7, 2009, Adelanto, Calif., Piasecki PV-18
At about 0830 Pacific time, the experimental helicopter collided with high tension wires and crashed, killing the commercial pilot and two passengers. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and the post-crash fire. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness flying behind the accident aircraft in another helicopter watched the PV-18 lift off from the airport and head southbound.
Key Takeaways:
- An experimental helicopter collided with high tension wires and crashed, resulting in the deaths of the commercial pilot and two passengers.
- The helicopter was observed flying low to the ground after takeoff and failed to climb before impacting the power lines.
- A witness attempted to warn the accident pilot via radio about the approaching power lines but received no reply before the helicopter crashed and caught fire.
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