Event MIA02LA040

Factual narrative

On November 16, 2001, about 1600 eastern standard time, a Eurocopter AS-350-BA, N6101U, registered to, and operated by Williams Air Services Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 corporate flight, incurred damage to the main rotor blades in Swanee, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airline transport-rated pilot and four passengers were not injured, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The pilot stated that he was hovering the helicopter in front of a house, and the main rotor blades struck a driveway light post, removing the top ornament from the post. According to the pilot, he landed the helicopter immediately and secured it, but the blades had incurred damage as a result of them having struck the post. The pilot stated that prior to the accident, there were no failures or malfunctions to any of the helicopter's systems. The pilot stated that he was hovering the helicopter in front of a house, and the main rotor blades struck a driveway light post, removing the top ornament from the post. According to the pilot, he landed the helicopter immediately and secured it, but the blades had incurred damage as a result of them having struck the post. The pilot stated that prior to the accident, there were no failures or malfunctions to any of the helicopter's systems. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12