NTSB Final Report: Hawesville, KY
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Location: Hawesville, Kentucky
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Accident Number:
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ERA25LA240
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Date & Time: June 25, 2025, 10:41 Local
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Registration:
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N144WK
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Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) COMPANY R44 II
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Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
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Analysis
The pilot reported that, during an aerial application flight, he made multiple passes over the field, while avoiding power lines. On the accident pass, the helicopter struck one of the power lines suspended above the field with the center of the rotor mast. The helicopter subsequently impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter 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 power lines during low-level agricultural spray operations.
Findings
Environmental issues Wire - Response/compensation
Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial
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Age:
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39,Male
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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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3-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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None
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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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Medical Certification:
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Class 1 Without
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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February 5, 2025
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waivers/limitations
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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January 15, 2025
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Flight Time:
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(Estimated) 795.4 hours (Total, all aircraft), 650 hours (Total, this make and model), 756 hours
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(Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 50 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 38 hours (Last 30 days, all
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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
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Registration:
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N144WK
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COMPANY
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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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2005
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal; Restricted (Special)
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Serial Number:
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10639
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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
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Annual
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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2400 lbs
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Inspection:
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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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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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WESTERN KENTUCKY
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Rated Power:
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260 Horsepower
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LEASING LLC
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Operator:
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WESTERN KENTUCKY
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Operating Certificate(s)
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Agricultural aircraft (137)
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LEASING LLC
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Held:
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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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OWB,403 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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19 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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10:56 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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267°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Scattered / 4400 ft AGL
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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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/
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Turbulence Type
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None / None
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Forecast/Actual:
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Wind Direction:
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Turbulence Severity
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N/A / N/A
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Forecast/Actual:
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.19 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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32°C / 24°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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Philpot, KY
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Philpot, KY
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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08:00 Local
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Type of Airspace:
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Class E
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Airport Information
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Airport:
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OWENSBORO/DAVIESS COUNTY
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Runway Surface Type:
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RGNL OWB
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Airport Elevation:
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407 ft msl
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Runway Surface Condition:
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Vegetation
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Runway Used:
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IFR Approach:
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None
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Runway Length/Width:
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VFR Approach/Landing:
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None
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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
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Injuries:
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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,
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37.764207,-86.776505
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Longitude:
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Winn, Lucas
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Additional Participating
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Ben Vost; FAA/FSDO; Louisville, KY
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Persons:
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Original Publish Date:
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November 20, 2025
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Last Revision Date:
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Investigation Class:
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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=200390
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation— railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.
The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation, “accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition, statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.
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