Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E accident near Newfane, Vermont, April 21, 2010
On April 21, 2010 at about 3:01 pm local time, a Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, registered N400MB, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Newfane, Vermont. It was an external-load flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a rope while maneuvering during powerline operations for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 21, 2010 · about 3:01 pm local time
- Place
- Newfane, Vermont · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · all 369Es on the register
- Registration
- N400MB · registry record · serial 0420E
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- External-load flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident occurred during a procedure to install a hold-down block onto a pulling rope located between powerline structures. An all stop order to quit pulling the rope was reportedly given 3 to 5 minutes before the accident and confirmed by the pilot via radio before maneuvering to begin the hold-down block installation. No movement of the pulling rope was reported by personnel associated with the installation. The pilot confirmed there was adequate clearance to work and positioned the helicopter near one of the structures as the additional lineman in the helicopter installed the hold-down block. After completion, the lineman in the helicopter saw two waves in the pulling rope. The first wave missed the helicopter but the second wave contacted the main rotor blade, wrapping around the main rotor mast. The lineman jumped into the helicopter, which descended to the ground and came to rest on its left side nearly inverted. The operator reported that there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction with the helicopter. No determination could be made as to the reason for the reported wave in the pulling rope.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Not specified
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 16,420 hours in all; 8,000 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 16,420 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 20, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,674 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 14, 2010; 14 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20R/2 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Air 2 LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Newfane VT at 2:45 pm
- Destination: Newfane VT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from EEN, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.