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Location:
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Maynard, Iowa
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Accident Number:
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CEN22LA366
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Date & Time:
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August 5, 2022, 11:00 Local
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Registration:
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N619RB
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Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
Analysis
The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight in a helicopter, he experienced a gust of wind that caused the nose of the helicopter to dip and lose altitude, which resulted in an impact with a powerline and substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: An impact with a powerline as a result of an unexpected wind gust.
Findings
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Environmental issues - Gusts - Effect on equipment
Environmental issues - Wire - Contributed to outcome
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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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32,
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-engine land
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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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5-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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|
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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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November 8, 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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February 8, 2022
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Flight Time:
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1100 hours (Total, all aircraft), 600 hours (Total, this make and model), 900 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 300 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 100 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
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Registration:
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N619RB
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|
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Model/Series:
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R44 II
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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|
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Year of Manufacture:
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2006
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Amateur Built:
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|
|
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal; Restricted (Special)
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Serial Number:
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11087
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|
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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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|
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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July 30, 2022 100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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|
|
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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41 Hrs
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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|
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Airframe Total Time:
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3769 Hrs at time of accident
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Lycoming
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|
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ELT:
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Not installed
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Engine Model/Series:
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IO-540-AE1A5
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|
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Registered Owner:
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Rated Power:
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245 Horsepower
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|
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Operator:
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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Agricultural aircraft
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(137)
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Operator Does Business As:
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Precision Aerial Service
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Operator Designator Code:
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|
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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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KOLZ,1076 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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10 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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10:55 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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214°
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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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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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|
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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7 knots / 12 knots
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Wind Direction:
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150°
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.1 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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25°C / 21°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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|
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Departure Point:
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Maynard, IA
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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|
Destination:
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Maynard, IA
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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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Class G
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1
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None
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger Injuries:
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|
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Ground Injuries:
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|
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1
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None
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Latitude, Longitude:
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42.81996,-91.84472
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Williams, David
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|
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Additional Participating Persons:
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James Konig; FAA; Des Moines, IA
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|
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Original Publish Date:
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September 23, 2022 Investigation Class:
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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=105687
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