NTSB Factual Report

On August 19, 2003, about 1945 central daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N9877Z, registered to and operated by Crystal Finger Corp DBA of Liberty Hill, Texas, sustained substantial damage when it impacted power lines and the ground while maneuvering near Mason, Texas. The airline transport pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial photography flight. The flight originated from Burnet Municipal Airport-Kate Craddock Field (BMQ), near Burnet, Texas, approximately 1630, with an intermediate stop at a local field site.

On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 3,225-hour pilot stated that he was maneuvering the helicopter westward along State Highway 29 toward Mason, Texas, for the purpose of video-filming an automobile driving westbound into the sunset. There were two sets of power lines that crossed the highway in the area that the filming was to take place. The pilot further stated that "as we continued down the highway, we came upon the second set of wires before I thought we should have. With the sun in my eyes, I did not see them until maybe a second before we impacted it." After striking the wire, the pilot added, the helicopter descended in a slight nose low attitude and impacted the highway, then skidded off the road into a ditch.

An examination of the helicopter by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that "the helicopter caught fire after it came to a stop, due to the exhaust pipe being on the grass, and was destroyed."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power line. A contributing factor was the sunglare.