Robinson R44
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Rotorcraft
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 65; Flight Crew Total 5139; Flight Crew Type 76
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
This submission is not to report and accident; rather a serious incident under FAA and NTSB definitions. The day before the flight; my wife and I planned to attend a meeting in ZZZ1. I moved the helicopter out of the hangar and had it fueled to the 1/2 full point. We contacted the church where we were going and obtained permission and authorization to land on the property. Early the morning of the flight; I opened ForeFlight and briefed weather; winds; and the anticipated location; and sent a screenshot of the map and location to my rotorcraft instructor. He and I then had a conversation about the steps and procedures to assess the location once I arrived; and we discussed how to set up for the landing. At XA:00 my wife and I met our friends at the ZZZ airport; performed the preflight; calculated a weight and balance; loaded up in the helicopter and headed for ZZZ1. The weather was excellent with good visibility and cool temperatures in the 50's to 60's. After the 20 min flight; upon arriving at our landing zone; I circled twice as a part of our reconnaissance and did our steps of the 600 ft. recon: size; surrounding; surface; slope; safety and then the 300 ft. recon: wind; wires; way in; way out; where to auto. The landing was normal and I secured the helicopter and we attended the meeting and luncheon. After the luncheon; I went out to the helicopter and started my preflight. During my walk around; I walked out to the road next to the church and looked in all directions. I observed wires to the north across the highway; to the east I observed wires; the church building was to our south; and I cleared the area to the west visually; and saw it was open and unobstructed; the wind was from the west. Once the preflight was complete; I recalculated the weight and balance; all was good; we were more than 200 lbs. under the gross weight limit; and with the temperature in the mid 60s; performance showed to be real good; so we loaded back in the helicopter. After going over the passenger briefing and seeing that all passengers were buckled up and ready I started the helicopter. After all checklist items were completed; and the warmup was accomplished; I lifted into a stable hover; maneuvered up and out toward the highway. Once again I looked for any traffic; and noted that the intended flight path was into the wind; and to the west; was clear and unobstructed. As we were in the hover; I pushed forward cyclic and just as we started a normal takeoff; my front seat passenger said 'WIRE' and I suddenly saw a wire just ahead of us! I immediately applied aft cyclic and pulled up collective. I felt the impact with the wire; and I identified that the center of the highway was clear with zero traffic. I initiated an immediate landing. Approximately 2-3 seconds after not clearing the wire; we were on the ground; and I recall the landing as straight and level; firm and smooth. I shutdown the helicopter; made sure all passengers were out safely and well clear of the helicopter and off the highway. I then secured the helicopter. Next I installed the ground handling wheels on the helicopter and with the help of my passenger; we pushed the helicopter off the highway to the north; then 200 ft. up a side road and into my friend's side yard. At that point I was able to take a moment; thankful for all the help and assistance received; and beyond thankful for no injuries. To prevent a recurrence and to avoid this situation in the future: I contacted my flight instructor and walked through the incident scenario; and I have discussed how to avoid this situation in the future. This incident could have been avoided or prevented by driving by vehicle instead of flying. Also; this incident could have been prevented by performing and executing a confined area takeoff; thus avoiding areas that might have lines and wires. I did walk the area to be used for my takeoff path during my preflight; and I had already performed my 600 ft. and 300 ft. recon prior to landing; so by asking a larger area; and looking closer and further down the takeoff are; might have been of value.
R-44 Private pilot reported an uneventful precautionary off airport landing due to an In-flight encounter with a wire during initial climb.