| Crash location | 38.766667°N, 75.133333°W |
| Nearest city | Lewes, DE
38.774557°N, 75.139350°W 0.6 miles away |
| Tail number | N828BA |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 23 Mar 2007 |
| Aircraft type | Bell 206B |
| Additional details: | None |
The pilot of a Bell 206B helicopter stated that she was conducting a charter flight. She was picking up three passengers at a housing construction site, and taking them to an airport. After the third passenger boarded, the pilot hovered the helicopter, and initiated a takeoff to the southwest over an approximate 300-foot grass area. About 50 feet agl, as the helicopter reached effective translational lift, the pilot lowered the collective and immediately saw a wire stretch across the windscreen and ride upward. The helicopter subsequently impacted the field, rolled left, and came to rest on its left side. During the impact, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an in flight collision with utility wires during takeoff, and a subsequent impact with terrain.