# NTSB CEN13LA448: Robinson R44, N9681R, Capron, IL, July 28, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 2013, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Capron, IL - Coordinates: 42.390045, -88.740211 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3900&lon=-88.7402&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87628 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA448 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87628/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87628 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA448 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor speed while maneuvering at low altitude during an agricultural application flight, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was applying a fungicide spray to a field when the helicopter began to lose altitude. The pilot tried to arrest the helicopter's descent while turning by increasing collective pitch, which resulted in a low main rotor speed. The helicopter impacted trees and terrain. Examination of the helicopter revealed no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 2013, about 1544 central daylight time, a Robinson R44, N9681R, descended during a turn and impacted terrain during an aerial application near Capron, Illinois. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Back Nine Aerial LLC under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight that was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from East Troy Municipal Airport (57C), East Troy, Wisconsin. The pilot stated that he departed from 57C at 0640 to perform a series of aerial applications of fungicide on fields near Harvard, Illinois. About 1445, while flying downwind about 150 feet above a field, the helicopter began to descend. The pilot then turned the helicopter into the wind and increased pitch to arrest the descent, which resulted in a low main rotor RPM. There was not sufficient altitude to recover the main rotor RPM, and the helicopter settled into a wooded area contacting trees. The helicopter came to rest in an upright position. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, there was a 3-4 inch tree limb that was broken and exhibited features consistent with being cut by the main rotor blade. Usable fuel was present aboard the helicopter, and there were no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9681R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9681R-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 1046, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON R44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-F1B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (registry code 42353, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1046 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 1495 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Back Nine Aerial LLC - Registered owner: Back Nine Aerial LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 24, 2012 - Departed: 57C, East Troy, WI - Destination: Capron, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: serious; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 977 total, 847 in this make and model, 905 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 112 in the last 30 days, 14 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KJVL, 18 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20130728014559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130728014559A), Jul 28, 2013: Robinson Helicopter R44, Capron, IL, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was the pilot in command of N9681R during aerial application on July 28, 2013. [privacy data omitted] Was flying downwind from the spray… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87628. 494 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 442 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402243&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.