# NTSB CEN14CA403: Robinson Helicopter R44, N7194H, Allen, NE, July 31, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 31, 2014, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Allen, NE
- Coordinates: 42.415832, -96.841392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4158&lon=-96.8414&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA403
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89790/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89790
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA403

## Probable cause

The pilot did not ensure sufficient obstacle clearance for potential wind conditions, which resulted in his loss of control of the helicopter.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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: 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)

## Analysis

The helicopter pilot was conducting an agricultural spray operation to a sloped field with several hills and valleys. As he approached a set of midfield power lines on about his fortieth pass, the pilot encountered stronger winds with significant turbulence and lost control of the helicopter. The helicopter struck a guy-wire for the midfield power lines and subsequently impacted the ground nose first.

## Factual narrative

The helicopter pilot was conducting an agricultural spray operation to a sloped field with several hills and valleys. As he approached a set of midfield power lines on about his fortieth pass, the pilot encountered stronger winds with significant turbulence and lost control of the helicopter. The helicopter struck a guy-wire for the midfield power lines and subsequently impacted the ground nose first.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7194H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7194H-2018-03-19), registration cancelled 2018-03-19, S/N 0941, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 (UNDESIGNAT)
- 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: 0941
- Year built: 2000
- Airframe hours: 4466
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-540F1 SERIE 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Shenandoah Agricultrual Spray Service In
- Registered owner: Shenandoah Agricultrual Spray Service In
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 9, 2014
- Departed: Priv, Sioux City, IA
- Destination: Priv, Sioux City, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,161 total, 175 in this make and model, 4,880 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KLCG, 12 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 20140731012769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140731012769A), Jul 31, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R44, Concord, NE, Destroyed. On July 31, 2014, at approximately 16:00 CDT, shenandoah spray service inc. Robinson R-44, N7194H, near concorde Nebraska, struck a guide wire and power lines…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89790. 999 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 999 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417267&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.