Not much new info on Piasecki PV-18 helicopter crash in Adelanto, CA.
This Piasecki H-25 is similar to the Piasecki PV-18 that was involved in the Adelanto crash. (Photo by US Navy)
It seems a collision with high-tension wires may have been the main cause of the crash involving a Piasecki PV-18 (registration N183YP) in Adelanto, California. Of course, the investigation is still only a a little bit over a month old and other factors may be involved that are still unknown to us. The accident happened at 8:30 PST on November 7, 2009 and the initial information regarding the accident can be found on Velozia Air’s earlier post HERE. Pilot Joseph “Joe” William Pike died in the accident along with two other friends as they departed Adelanto Airport (52CL) in Adelanto, California on their way to Flabob Airport (RIR) in Riverside, California.
While there isn’t that much new information on last month’s National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) report, the initial reported information was confirmed. The helicopter collided with high-tension wires after departing the airport. This was witnessed by another pilot flying behind the accident helicopter (and communicating with N183YP) in a Bell 47. He stated that he saw the helicopter depart the airport, then stop climbing, continue flying low to the ground, and eventually collide with the power lines. He tried to warn the accident pilot of the upcoming threat, but received no reply before the collision occurred. After hitting the lines the helicopter crashed to the ground and burned killing all aboard. The radio call by the Bell 47 pilot may have been the emergency call I reported on earlier as coming from the accident helicopter.
As we stated in the initial post, investigators will have to determine if this was simply pilot error that resulted in a collision with power lines or if another mechanical malfunction caused the crash.
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