Event GAA17CA355

Factual narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, while maneuvering at a low altitude during an aerial application flight, he "forgot to duck" for some nearby transmission wires. The tail rotor struck the transmission wires and the helicopter impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter pilot reported that, while maneuvering at a low altitude during an agricultural application flight, he "forgot to duck" for some nearby transmission wires. The tail rotor struck the transmission wires, and the helicopter impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Effect on operation - C
• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Pilot