WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Transportation Safety Board blames the pilot for a deadly helicopter crash near the Norfork Dam in northern Arkansas on July 15, 2008. The agency released its probable cause report last month.

The report shows the Hughes 269B copter failed to maintain clearance of power lines when it went down near Salesville. The crash killed the pilot, James Evertsen of West Plains, and his passenger, Randall Arthur of Marshfield.

Arthur worked for Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative and was conducting an aerial inspection of the company's transmission line at the dam.
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NTSB’s report on the crash:

The pilot flew to an off-airport location to pick up an electrical company employee. After being on the ground about eight minutes, the pilot and passenger then flew power line patrol looking for vegetation encroachment. One hour and 36 minutes after taking off one of the helicopter's main rotor blades impacted the middle strand of a crossing high voltage transmission line.

The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and postimpact fire. The impacted transmission line was approximately 100 feet above and crossed perpendicularly to the transmission line they were following. Examination of the helicopter wreckage revealed no preexisting anomalies that would have contributed to the accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the crossing transmission line.