Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E accident near Northport, Alabama, August 19, 2014
On August 19, 2014 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 1990 Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, registered N444RS, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Northport, Alabama. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An inadvertent collision with a utility wire for reasons that could not be determined from recorded data and examination of the helicopter and accident site.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 19, 2014 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Northport, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, built 1990 · all 369Es on the register
- Registration
- N444RS · registry record · serial 0441E
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger were inspecting a span of high-tension powerlines for damage after a recent storm. Recorded data showed that the helicopter departed and proceeded along the left side of the span at an altitude roughly consistent with the height of the suspended wires. The helicopter's last recorded position was about 400 ft laterally and about 25 ft below the point where it ultimately contacted and severed the uppermost wire of the span, which was about 150 ft above ground level. The severed wire was located on the right side of the span, whereas the helicopter was flying on the left. The helicopter's ground track transitioned from left to right and back across the span near transmission towers earlier during the flight; however, there were no transmission towers located in the immediate vicinity of the accident site. Portions of the wreckage came to rest directly below the severed wire, and oriented along a debris path to the right of and along the helicopter's previous direction of travel. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or failures before the helicopter contacted the wire.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 13,500 hours in all; 1,500 in this make and model; 160 in the last 90 days; 64 in the last 30 days; 13,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 10, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,824 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 4, 2014; 60 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 3,584 hours total
- Operator: Rotorworks LLC
The flight
- Departed from: TCL Tuscaloosa AL at 3:30 pm
- Destination: TCL Tuscaloosa AL
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KTCL, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA14FA396.