Accident Details
On July 13, 2023, at approximately 7:00 PM central daylight time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, registered as N62RK, was involved in an accident near Pocahontas, Illinois. The helicopter was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported no injuries.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, the helicopter was spraying corn at an altitude of about 15 feet above ground level and an airspeed of approximately 60 miles per hour. The engine began to "spit and sputter" and then experienced a total loss of power. The pilot attempted to reduce airspeed and initiated a flare before colliding with corn stalks that were about 10 feet tall.
During the impact with the corn stalks, the helicopter's landing gear skids and tail boom separated. The helicopter bounced off the ground, became airborne again, traveled approximately 30 feet, rolled over, and came to rest on its left side. The fuselage and tail boom sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the fuel tanks contained about 10 gallons of fuel, and an odor of fuel was noted at the accident site.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the engine was conducted. The spark plugs were removed and tested. The engine cylinders were borescoped, and no anomalies were noted in the cylinders, pistons, or valves. A cold cylinder compression check was completed, with cylinder compressions in the normal range. The engine was rotated manually and through battery power to the starter; no anomalies were noted, and mechanical continuity was verified throughout the engine. Both magnetos provided spark when the engine was rotated. The engine fuel lines were checked for looseness, and all lines were secured. When the engine component fuel lines were removed, an undocumented amount of fuel was present in the fuel lines and components.
The examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.