Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Many pilots mistakenly believe they will have sufficient reaction time if they encounter power lines and other wires. Yet wire strikes have been among the top three causes of fatal helicopter accidents for more than a decade. Chris Hill, a wire-strike survivor and Vertical Aviation International’s senior director of safety, talks about technologies to supplement your obstacle-avoidance efforts, along with wire-strike avoidance techniques.
For more about helicopter safety and the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team, visit https://ushst.org.
Many pilots mistakenly believe they will have sufficient reaction time if they encounter power lines and other wires. Yet wire strikes have been among the top three causes of fatal helicopter accidents for more than a decade. Chris Hill, a wire-strike survivor and Vertical Aviation International’s senior director of safety, talks about technologies to supplement your obstacle-avoidance efforts, along with wire-strike avoidance techniques.
For more about helicopter safety and the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team, visit https://ushst.org.
