Final Report: Pilot faulted in AStar wire strike

Eurocopter AS 350-B2 AStar, Jasper, Ala., Dec. 22, 2005–The NTSB blamed the accident on the pilot’s failure to maintain a visual lookout and proper altitude clearance during a low-level flight.

he pilot said he was looking for a bridge and that he “did not maintain a visual lookout” and hit an overhead wire between two power structures. He was able to land back at his house. The helicopter was damaged on the nose, windshield, lower chin bubble, overhead window, left door post and cabin roof. The pilot’s right middle finger had to be amputated because of injuries in the wire strike.