# Accident 20171106021059A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Larchwood, IA, November 6, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 6, 2017, 13:00 local time
- Place: Larchwood, IA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.3822° N, 96.4392° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3822&lon=-96.4392&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7085M, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7085M-2019-11-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 5,095 total, 5,010 in this make and model, 164 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN18LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA025) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171106021059A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE ASSISTING IN SPOTTING AND MOVING LOOSE CATTLE. THE HELICOPTER WAS TRAVELING NORTH IN LEVEL FLIGHT, WHEN IT STRUCK A HIGH POWER ELECTRICAL LINE AND CRASHED INTO A STANDING FIELD OF CORN.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN18LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA025), Nov 6, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N7085M), Larchwood, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of situational awareness, which resulted in his failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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