Accident Details
At 1700 eastern daylight time on June 18, 2020, a Robinson R66 helicopter, registration N4QW, was substantially damaged during an aerial application flight near Pikeville, North Carolina. The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137.
Company personnel reported that the pilot had not previously sprayed the farm field and had received no information about local hazards. The pilot arrived at the field about three hours later than planned. Before loading insecticide, he performed two circular passes over the field to check for obstructions. After the ground crew loaded the hopper, the pilot took off and began spraying. An eyewitness heard a "popping" sound and observed a sudden descent followed by impact with terrain.
Wire Strike
The helicopter struck a non-energized wire known as a "dove wire," used for hunting. The wire was mounted about 30 feet up a 40-foot pole that also supported a hunting stand. It stretched approximately 250 feet across the corn field from west to east and was connected to a tree on the east side. The wire was perpendicular to the helicopter’s flightpath, unmarked, and 5/16 inch thick. According to the farmer, the wire had been installed at least 20 years earlier and was positioned high enough for farm equipment to pass underneath.
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage path was oriented on a heading of about 030° magnetic. From the wire impact point to the final resting place was about 275 feet. The tail rotor empennage separated about 2 feet aft of the rotating beacon light and was found in a nearby irrigation ditch; the tail rotor assembly and blades separated from the empennage. All major components were accounted for, and both main rotor blades remained attached to the hub.
Approximately 20 feet of 5/16-inch-diameter braided steel wire was found wrapped around the blade pitch change horns, swashplate, pitch links, rotor hub, and both rotor blades. Tears and scuff marks on the blades were consistent with contact with the wire.
Cyclic and collective control continuity was confirmed. Tail rotor control continuity could not be confirmed due to impact damage. No mechanical discrepancies or anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot and Environmental Factors
An autopsy performed by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries and the manner as accident. Toxicology testing by the FAA’s Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified trimethoprim and tamsulosin in the pilot’s blood and urine; neither medication is considered impairing.
Bright daylight conditions existed at the time of the accident. According to the US Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications department, the sun was at 39.85° altitude and 272.39° azimuth.