| Crash location | 45.348889°N, 121.199166°W
Reported location is a long distance from the NTSB's reported nearest city. This often means that the location has a typo, or is incorrect. |
| Nearest city | The Dalles, OR
45.594564°N, 121.178682°W 17.0 miles away |
| Tail number | N74666 |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 25 Jun 2013 |
| Aircraft type | Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Ii |
| Additional details: | None |
The pilot reported that he was maneuvering at a low altitude over a cherry orchard as part of a drying operation. The light was low due to cloudy weather conditions and he did not see corroded copper wires that were adjacent to the orchard. He noticed a pole that had shinny wires on one side, which gave him the illusion that that was the end of the power line, since he could not see the other connected pole that was obscured by trees. The main rotor blades were substantially damaged when they contacted the wire. The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot's failure to see and avoid wires while maneuvering at a low-altitude, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the wires.