# NTSB CEN18LA025: Robinson Helicopter R44, N7085M, Larchwood, IA, November 6, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 6, 2017, 13:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Larchwood, IA - Coordinates: 43.382221, -96.439163 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3822&lon=-96.4392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report November 15, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 96292 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96292/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96292 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA025 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of situational awareness, which resulted in his failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [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) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was conducting a helicopter flight to assist with herding cattle that had gotten loose. According to multiple witnesses on the ground, the helicopter impacted powerlines and then terrain. Video of the accident showed the helicopter facing away from the powerlines at the time of the collision with the powerlines. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation at the time of the accident. The witnesses on the ground indicated that there was unlimited visibility and no precipitation at the time of the accident. Thus, the pilot was likely focused on the cattle and lost situational awareness regarding the helicopter's proximity to the powerlines, which resulted in the collision with the powerlines and terrain. ## Factual narrative On November 6, 2017, about 1310 central standard time, a Robinson Helicopter R44 helicopter, N7085M, was substantially damaged when it impacted powerlines and then terrain 4.5 miles south of Larchwood, Iowa. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The aerial observation flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight. The local flight departed about 1300.According to the passenger and witnesses on the ground, the helicopter was assisting in locating and herding 300 cattle that were loose in the area. The helicopter was assisting the ground team to push the cattle towards an open gate directly beneath powerlines. Witnesses on the ground observed the helicopter hovering and as it started to turn, the "tail" of the helicopter hit the powerlines. The helicopter descended to the ground and came to rest on its right side in a corn field. Several witnesses and the passenger stated that the helicopter looked and sounded normal prior to the impact. A video of the accident taken by another witness on the ground showed the helicopter maneuvering near the powerlines, with the nose of the helicopter facing away from the powerlines. The tail of the helicopter impacted the powerlines, followed by the main rotor blades. The helicopter rotated once before impacting the ground. According to a FAA inspector who responded to the accident, the tailboom separated from the fuselage and both main rotors were substantially damaged. An examination of the helicopter, engine, and remaining systems revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. An official weather observation taken 18 miles northwest of the accident site reported the weather as wind 060° at 7 knots, visibility 1.5 miles in light snow, overcast skies at 2,300 ft above ground level, temperature -1° C, dewpoint temperature -4°C, and an altimeter of 30.26 inches of mercury. The witnesses on the ground at the accident site characterized the weather as overcast, windy, unlimited visibility, and no precipitation. At the writing of this report, the pilot had no recollection of the accident or the events that led up to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7085M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7085M-2019-11-04), registration cancelled 2019-11-04, S/N 0430, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0430 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 2042.8 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-F185 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 15, 2017, 38.6 hours before - Departed: Larchwood, IA - Destination: Larchwood, IA - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: serious; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,200 total, 5,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 1.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KFSD, 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 20171106021059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171106021059A), Nov 6, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R44, Larchwood, IA, Substantial damage. 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… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 17, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96292. 1.2 MB in all. - Passenger Statement (item 1, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463365&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463366&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-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.