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Location:
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Mineral Point, Wisconsin
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Accident Number:
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CEN21LA452
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Date & Time:
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July 20, 2021, 13:30 Local
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Registration:
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N44XB
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Aircraft:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
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Injuries:
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1 None
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Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
Analysis
The pilot of the helicopter was conducting agricultural application when he noticed the oil pressure light flickering just before making the 180o turn for his next run, and he turned toward a cornfield and made a precautionary landing. The pilot reported that the landing was soft, but the spray boom broke during landing. Two witnesses reported that the helicopter was maneuvering at low altitude and struck a wire before landing in the cornfield. They both reported that the pilot got out and examined the helicopter, got back in, took off, and departed the area. Photographs taken by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector showed that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that he did not feel the impact of the rotor blades with the wire.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a wire during an aerial application flight, resulting in a collision with the wire.
Findings
Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot
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Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)
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Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial
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Age:
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47
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Second Pilot Present:
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Class 1 Without waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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April 1, 2021
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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Flight Time:
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER
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Registration:
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N44XB
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Model/Series:
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R44
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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2002
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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1215
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Landing Gear Type:
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None; Skid
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Seats:
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4
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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Unknown
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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Airframe Total Time:
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Lycoming
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ELT:
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Engine Model/Series:
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O-540-F1B5
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Registered Owner:
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Rated Power:
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Operator:
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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Agricultural aircraft (137)
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KMRJ
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Distance from Accident Site:
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Observation Time:
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16:30 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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8 knots /
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Wind Direction:
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340°
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.09 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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29°C / 18°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Mineral Point, WI
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Mineral Point, WI
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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Type of Airspace:
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 None
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger Injuries:
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Ground Injuries:
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 None
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Latitude, Longitude:
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42.874434,-90.208609(est)
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Hatch, Craig
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Mike Brockel; FAA FSDO; Milwaukee, WI
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Original Publish Date:
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March 25, 2022
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Investigation Class: 4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103963
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