Event FTW96LA008

Factual narrative

On October 5, 1995, at 0915 central daylight time, a Bell 47-G2, N4423, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91 was substantially damaged following impact with power lines near Freer, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and his passenger was not injured. The flight was originating, at the time of the accident, from the Caramucha Ranch. The pilot reported that he initiated a takeoff from a county road, with the winds from the north at approximately 1-3 knots. During initial climb, "extremely dusty conditions from [the] rotor wash" prevented him from seeing the power lines. A skid "hooked the lines and the aircraft rotated to the right." The pilot further reported that he increased collective pitch; however, "the tail rotor blades contacted the lines and tail rotor control was lost immediately." The pilot responded by "chopping" the throttle and cushioning the landing with the collective. Examination of the aircraft revealed that the tailboom had separated from the helicopter, the centerframe was structurally damaged, and the main rotor blades had partially separated from the aircraft. The pilot reported that he took off from a road with the winds from the north at 1-3 knots. During the initial climb, 'extremely dusty conditions' from the rotor wash prevented him from seeing the power lines. A skid hooked the lines and the aircraft rotated to the right. The pilot further reported that he increased collective pitch; however, the tail rotor blades contacted the lines and tail rotor control was lost immediately. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12