No fatalities

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 accident at Waukon, IA, 4 Aug 2021

Waukon, IA, United States

On August 4, 2021, a ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 operated by Rotors LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Waukon, IA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a powerline during an agricultural application pass. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a powerline during an agricultural application pass.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Awareness of conditionAltitude — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Aug 2021 ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 accident near Waukon, IA?

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a powerline during an agricultural application pass.

Were there any fatalities in the 4 Aug 2021 ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Aug 2021 involved a ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44, operated by Rotors LLC, at Waukon, IA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a powerline during an agricultural application pass.