Low Altitude Operation/Event: Robinson R44 Astro, N570WH; accident occurred July 20, 2020 in Dickeyville, Grant County, Wisconsin

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

MF Helicopters LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N570WH

 Location: Dickeyville, Wisconsin

Accident Number: CEN20CA300

Date & Time: July 20, 2020, 13:40 Local 

Registration: N570WH

Aircraft: Robinson R44 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Analysis

The pilot reported that while performing an aerial application flight at low altitude, the helicopter impacted wires between two poles. He stated the wires were higher than he expected due to the change in terrain contours relative to the poles, and he did not see the wires until just before impact. He then performed a precautionary landing to an adjacent waterway. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 did not maintain clearance from wires during an aerial application flight.

Findings

Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot

Environmental issues Wire - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)

Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline transport; Commercial; Flight instructor

Age: 42, Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land

Seat Occupied: Right

Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter 

Restraint Used: 5-point

Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: October 23, 2019

Occupational Pilot: Yes 

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: May 19, 2020

Flight Time: 7700 hours (Total, all aircraft), 380 hours (Total, this make and model), 6100 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 145 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 107 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Robinson 

Registration: N570WH

Model/Series: R44 Undesignated

Aircraft Category: Helicopter

Year of Manufacture: 1998 

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal

Serial Number: 0538

Landing Gear Type: N/A; Skid 

Seats: 4

Date/Type of Last Inspection: September 13, 2019 Annual 

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2400 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection: 86 Hrs 

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 4581 Hrs at time of accident 

Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming

ELT: Not installed

Engine Model/Series: O-540-F1B5

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 235 Horsepower

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: PVB,1024 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 13:35 Local

Direction from Accident Site: 30°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 6000 ft AGL

Visibility 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots / Turbulence Type

Forecast/Actual: /

Wind Direction: 310°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C / 17°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Dickeyville, WI 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Dickeyville, WI

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time:

Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport

Runway Surface Type:

Airport Elevation: 

Runway Surface Condition: Unknown

Runway Used:

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width:

VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 42.625278,-90.587776 (est)