Aircraft Reportedly Struck A Power Line During An Inspection Flight

A helicopter conducting power line inspections in western Colorado has reportedly struck one of those lines and gone down, resulting in the fatal injury of the three people on board.

Television station KMGH reports that the accident occurred Monday at about 1120 local time near the town of Silt in the western part of the state. The crew was reportedly conducting survey work in a region with rugged terrain, according to FAA officials. The Garfield County Sheriff's Office said that a witness who observed the accident drove to the scene, but found all three of those on board the aircraft were already deceased. The witness said that the wreckage was contained in an area about 50 feet wide.

Sheriff's Office spokesman Walt Stowe said that the area where the Bell Long Ranger went down is "kind of hilly, ravines and draws" and covered in sage brush.

The station reports that the helicopter was registered to a private firm; DBS Helicopters in Rifle, CO. The NTSB will issue a preliminary report within 10 business days of the accident.

(Image from file. Not accident aircraft)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov