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Location:
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Arthur, Illinois
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Accident Number:
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CEN23LA341
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Date & Time:
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July 31, 2023, 14:00 Local
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Registration:
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N644ME
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Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
Analysis
The pilot reported that he had confirmed that there were no powerlines to avoid before entering a field to perform spray operations. While spraying next to a tree line and approaching a road, the pilot could not recall whether there were powerlines or not. The pilot reported that while making a precautionary maneuver to avoid any potential powerlines, he had forgotten about the tree line. The helicopter struck a tree branch, and subsequently impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures 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: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a low-level aerial application flight.
Findings
Environmental issues - Tree(s) - Effect on equipment
Environmental issues - Tree(s) - Awareness of condition
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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48,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Front
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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3-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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Helicopter
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2 With waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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March 10, 2023
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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April 15, 2023
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Flight Time:
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403 hours (Total, all aircraft), 96 hours (Total, this make and model), 328 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 72 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 52 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 7 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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N644ME
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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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Year of Manufacture:
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2013
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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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13439
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Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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4
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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May 18, 2023 Annual
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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2500 lbs
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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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917.58 Hrs at time of accident
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Lycoming
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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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Registered Owner:
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RAS AVIATION LLC
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Rated Power:
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245 Horsepower
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Operator:
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RAS AVIATION LLC
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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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KMTO,710 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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15 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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15:53 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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165°
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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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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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7 knots /
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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None / None
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Wind Direction:
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60°
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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N/A / N/A
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.13 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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28°C / 14°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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Tuscola, IL
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Arthur, IL
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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08:54 Local
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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 Serious
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Latitude, Longitude:
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39.7173,-88.35816(est)
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Rutt, Brian
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Doyle Humphries; FAA - Springfield FSDO
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Original Publish Date:
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September 28, 2023 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=192767
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), established in 1967, is an independent federal agency mandated by Congress through the Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to investigate transportation accidents, determine the probable causes of the accidents, issue safety recommendations, study transportation safety issues, and evaluate the safety effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation. The NTSB makes public its actions and decisions through accident reports, safety studies, special investigation reports, safety recommendations, and statistical reviews.
The Independent Safety Board Act, as codified at 49 U.S.C. Section 1154(b), precludes the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an incident or accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report. A factual report that may be admissible under 49 U.S.C. § 1154(b) is available here.
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