# NTSB CEN14CA426: Robinson Helicopter R44, N8343P, Lancaster, WI, August 13, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 13, 2014, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, WI
- Coordinates: 42.7625, -90.659721
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7625&lon=-90.6597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA426
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89869/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89869
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA426

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate monitoring of the environment and failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires during an aerial application flight.

## Findings

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

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); 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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); 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: 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 reported that while conduction an aerial application flight, he did not see power lines in his path and the helicopter struck the wires that and then the ground. The main rotor blades severed the tail boom of the helicopter during the event. In his report, the pilot listed no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while conduction an aerial application flight, he did not see power lines in his path and the helicopter struck the wires that and then the ground. The main rotor blades severed the tail boom of the helicopter during the event. In his report, the pilot listed no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8343P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8343P-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 0313, built 1996 (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: 0313
- Year built: 1996
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-F1B5 235 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
- Departed: 73C, Lancaster, WI
- Destination: 73C, Lancaster, WI
- Airport: 73C, Lancaster Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,312 total, 1,118 in this make and model, 1,239 as pilot in command, 252 in the last 90 days, 130 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: PVB

## 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 20140813014799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140813014799A), Aug 13, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R44, Lancaster, WI, Substantial damage. On August 13, 2014 at 1230 CDT a R-44, N8343P, made a hard landing in a field after coming into contact with powerlines in Lancaster, WI. The pilot received…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89869. 2.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417239&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417240&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-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.

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