- A Hughes 369D helicopter struck power lines over the Mississippi River and crashed onto a barge near St. Louis.
- The aircraft was assisting with the installation of marker balls on transmission wires at the time.
- Both people on board were killed; no injuries occurred on the barge.
- The NTSB is investigating, and the river section remains closed to navigation.
A utility helicopter accident on the Mississippi River near St. Louis claimed the lives of two people on Thursday morning. The incident occurred when the aircraft came into contact with high-voltage transmission lines during maintenance work, resulting in a crash and fire on a barge deck. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation, as reported by MarineInsight.
At around 1100 hours, a Hughes 369D utility helicopter struck electrical transmission lines while assisting in the installation of marker balls on the wires. The aircraft crashed onto the deck of a barge and caught fire. No one was on the barge at the time. The marker balls help make the wires more visible to aircraft and birds, and can keep them afloat if they fall into the water. A witness reported that the helicopter broke apart and ignited upon contact with the power line. The fire was quickly extinguished, though the extent of damage remains unclear. Several wires fell into the river, prompting the closure of navigation in the area and the nearby bridge. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
Did you subscribe to our Daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: MarineInsight
