ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Logan, IA — July 20, 2017
Event Information
| Date | July 20, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN17CA346 |
| Event ID | 20170912X85009 |
| Location | Logan, IA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 41.64305, -95.78917 |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY |
| Model | R44 II |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 137 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
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 failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural application flight.
Full 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.
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.