ROBINSON R44
Kansasville, WI — August 7, 2015
Event Information
| Date | August 7, 2015 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN15CA348 |
| Event ID | 20150811X15940 |
| Location | Kansasville, WI |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 42.73111, -88.11166 |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | ROBINSON |
| Model | R44 |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 137 |
| Aircraft Damage | DEST |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's inability to see and avoid power lines that were low to the ground and a green color that blended with the background crops.
Full Narrative
According to the pilot's accident report, he flew over the field that was to be sprayed with pesticides and looked for obstacles. Seeing none, he commenced spraying and collided with power lines. The pilot said the power lines were only 13 feet off the ground and were green in color that blended in with the background crops. The pilot wrote, "It was in my opinion [that it was] impossible to see the wires that I hit." According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who went to the site, the helicopter's canopy contacted the power lines, then the lines slid beneath the helicopter and caught the skids. The helicopter nosed over and impacted terrain.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.