# NTSB CEN15CA348: Robinson R44, N20KD, Kansasville, WI, August 7, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 7, 2015, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Kansasville, WI - Coordinates: 42.731109, -88.111663 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7311&lon=-88.1117&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 91755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA348 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91755/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91755 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA348 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to see and avoid power lines that were low to the ground and a green color that blended with the background crops. ## 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) - [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) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (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) - [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 flew over the field to be sprayed looking for obstacles. Seeing none, he commenced spraying and collided with power lines. The pilot said the power lines were only 13 feet off the ground and were green in color that blended in with the background crops. The helicopter's canopy contacted the power lines, then the lines slid beneath the helicopter and caught the skids. The helicopter nosed over and impacted terrain. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot's accident report, he flew over the field that was to be sprayed with pesticides and looked for obstacles. Seeing none, he commenced spraying and collided with power lines. The pilot said the power lines were only 13 feet off the ground and were green in color that blended in with the background crops. The pilot wrote, "It was in my opinion [that it was] impossible to see the wires that I hit." According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who went to the site, the helicopter's canopy contacted the power lines, then the lines slid beneath the helicopter and caught the skids. The helicopter nosed over and impacted terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20KD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20KD-2018-02-27), registration cancelled 2018-02-27, S/N 0983, 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: 0983 - Year built: 2001 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Deakins Black Nine Dairy, LLC - Registered owner: Deakins Black Nine Dairy, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 24, 2015 - Departed: 57C, EAST TROY, WI - Destination: 57C, EAST TROY, WI - Equipment: Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 19, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,830 total, 2,630 in this make and model, 2,756 as pilot in command, 230 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KBUU, 8 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 20150807012489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150807012489A), Aug 7, 2015: Robinson Helicopter R44, Dover, WI, Substantial damage. On August 7, 2015, at 1118 CDT a Robinson R-44, N20KD, collided with a power line while agicultural spraying in Dover, WI. The commercial pilot received… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 23, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91755. 874 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 874 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436892&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.