A Growing Threat in the Skies Above Our Fields
Eastern Washington’s rich agricultural landscape depends heavily on aerial spraying and crop management. Agricultural helicopters, often flying just above tree lines, are essential tools for farmers—but they also pose a serious risk when operating near power lines. Recent and past incidents across the region highlight a disturbing trend: low-level helicopter crashes caused by collisions with electrical lines, leading not only to injury and loss of life, but also to power outages, wildfires, and long-term community disruption.
At Larson, Griffee & Pickett, PLLC we believe that protecting our community means more than reacting after a crash occurs—it means raising awareness, ensuring accountability, and advocating for safer practices.
The cases surrounding wire strikes and the resulting crashes differ greatly – however, the one common denominator is they are all extremely intricate and complex cases. The trial lawyers at Larson, Griffee & Pickett, PLLC will make sure to handle your case with the care and detail it requires.
Why These Crashes Happen
Agricultural helicopters are required to fly at very low altitudes, making them vulnerable to hard-to-see hazards like unmarked or poorly maintained power lines. These lines often stretch across open fields and orchards, where pilots may not expect them—especially if lines are uncharted or obscured by vegetation or terrain.
Several factors contribute to these accidents:
- Lack of proper power line marking or mapping
- Pilot fatigue or inadequate training
- Inadequate coordination between utility companies and agricultural businesses
- Outdated equipment lacking advanced detection systems
In rural counties across Eastern Washington—from Yakima to Spokane County—communities have witnessed tragic outcomes from these avoidable crashes.
The Human and Community Cost
When a helicopter collides with a power line, the consequences extend far beyond the cockpit. Pilots are often critically injured or killed. Power lines snap, triggering wildfires or cutting electricity to hundreds of homes and farms. Emergency services become strained. The surrounding farmland can be contaminated or damaged by spilled chemicals.
These are not just occupational hazards—they are community hazards. Every crash is a warning signal.
Who Is Responsible?
While pilot error is sometimes cited, many crashes involve deeper systemic issues—such as negligent maintenance of power infrastructure or failure by utility companies to mark hazardous lines in agricultural zones. In some cases, landowners and operators may share responsibility if they failed to disclose line locations or ensure safe working conditions.
It is extremely important to hire an attorney, who will fight for your rights, early in the process. Our attorneys at Larson, Griffee & Pickett, PLLC can help guide the investigation in a way that protects claimants rights throughout the process.
Our role as injury attorneys is to investigate all contributing factors and hold the right parties accountable. Victims and their families deserve answers, compensation, and most importantly—justice.
How We Can Help
At Larson, Griffee & Pickett, PLLLC we specialize in serious injury and wrongful death claims, including those involving agricultural aircraft operations and wire-strikes. We work closely with aviation experts, investigators, and local authorities to build strong cases that stand up in trial. Whether you’re a pilot, a family member, or a property owner affected by a crash, we are here to help you understand your rights and pursue rightful compensation.
We are committed to:
- Ensuring thorough investigation of every crash
- Filing claims against negligent parties, including utility companies
- Advocating for regulatory reform to improve safety for agricultural pilots and residents
Moving Toward Safer Skies
Preventing future accidents means demanding stronger safety protocols:
- Mandatory mapping and marking of low-hanging power lines
- Improved coordination between agricultural operators and utility companies
- Enhanced training and safety equipment for pilots
- Regulatory oversight by state and federal agencies
As members of this community, we urge all stakeholders to prioritize safety and accountability—before more people lose their lives in such an easily preventable fashion.
If you or someone you love has been affected by an agricultural helicopter crash in Eastern Washington, contact Larson, Griffee & Pickett, PLLC today for a free consultation.