# NTSB CEN21LA348: Robinson Helicopter R66, N857TL, Merry, NE, July 30, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 30, 2021, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Merry, NE - Coordinates: 42.22387, -96.5997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2239&lon=-96.5997&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - LNK FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103606 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA348 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103606/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103606 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA348 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during a low-level aerial application flight. ## 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 R66, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640130), [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 R66, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while cresting a hill at the end of a field during an aerial application pass, the helicopter’s skids struck power lines and subsequently impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and rotors. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot reported that the aerial application pass was over rolling hills with terrain elevation changes of about 300 ft. and that could not see the end of the field where the power lines were because of the hill. When he crested the hill and saw the powerlines at eye-level, he attempted to climb over the power lines, but the skids struck the top static wire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N857TL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N857TL), registered now, S/N 0601, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R66 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R66](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r66) (registry code 7640130) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C300/A1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c300-a1) (registry code 54232, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0601 - Year built: 2015 - Engines: Rolls Royce RR3300 270 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Higgins Leasing Inc - Registered owner: Higgins Leasing Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: serious; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,360 total, 250 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 14 knots - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KAIA, 41 nm away - METAR: METAR KAIA 301653Z AUTO 36014KT 1 1/4SM HZ CLR 27/17 A3019 RMK AO2 SLP176 T02670172= ## 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 20210730019069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210730019069A), Jul 30, 2021: Robinson Helicopter Co R66, Merry, NE, Substantial damage. On July 30, 2021 at approximately 1230 central daylight time (CDT) a Robinson R66 helicopter was substantially damaged due to impact with terrain after… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 16, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103606. 594 KB in all. - Record of conversation with pilot (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12810529&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20with%20pilot-Rel.pdf - Photograph of accident helicopter (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 469 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12810388&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.