20 Jul 2017: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II II — Airbourn Aviation LLC

20 Jul 2017: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II II — Airbourn Aviation LLC

No fatalities • Logan, IA, United States

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural application flight.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The commercial pilot was performing an agricultural application flight, and completed two reconnaissance passes and orbit of the field he was about to spray. The pilot did not note any power lines that posed a danger for the flight. While maneuvering at a low altitude during a pass turn, the helicopter struck a wire that he did not see. After the helicopter struck the wire, the helicopter windscreen failed and the helicopter violently shook. The pilot entered an autorotation to the field, and the helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the helicopter. The accident was reported to the National Transportation Safety Board on September 11, 2017.

Contributing factors

  • cause Altitude — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot
  • Effect on equipment
  • Awareness of condition

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 100/05kt, vis 10sm

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