Condon/Pauling Field Airport: Condon, Oregon

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The pilot reported that he was landing the tail-wheel-equipped airplane at a remote, 1,100-foot long dirt airstrip. The pilot stated that during the approach, on short final, the airplane struck the top of a fence post located at the approach end of the airstrip. The airplane subsequently landed hard and nosed-down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. No pre-accident mechanical failures were reported by the pilot.

On October 12, 2009, about 0930 Pacific daylight time, a McDonnell-Douglas 369FF helicopter, N527SH, collided with a wood power pole about 18 miles southeast of Fossil, Oregon. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed in the accident, and the helicopter, which is owned and operated by Pacific Rim Helicopters LLC, sustained substantial damage. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 external load flight was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. The helicopter had been airborne for an undetermined amount of time when the accident occurred. No flight plan had been filed.

According to witnesses, at the time of the accident, the helicopter was placing a rope, which would later be used to pull a power line onto pulleys that were mounted on the power poles. During the accident sequence, one or more of the helicopter's main rotor blades came in contact with the power pole. The helicopter has been recovered to Maple Valley, Washington, for further examination. Updated on Jan 28 2010 11:06AM