# NTSB CEN21LA349: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N285RG, Randolph, WI, July 31, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 31, 2021, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Randolph, WI - Coordinates: 43.55696, -89.03637 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5570&lon=-89.0364&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 FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103607 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA349 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103607/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103607 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA349 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a low-level aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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 II, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while making a turn at the end of a field following an aerial application pass, the helicopter struck power lines and subsequently impacted the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot reported he was aware of the power lines but misjudged the position of the helicopter with reference to the lines and realized that he did not have sufficient room to make the turn without impacting the lines. The pilot stopped the turn and lowered the collective to attempt to pass under the power lines. The helicopter impacted the lower string of lines and impacted the ground, coming to rest almost upright. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N285RG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N285RG), registered now, S/N 11323, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (registry code 41899, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 11323 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 3320 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1AS 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Mf Helicopters LLC - Registered owner: Mf Helicopters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Randolph, WI - Destination: Same as departure ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 27, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,321 total, 5,960 in this make and model, 7,125 as pilot in command, 287 in the last 90 days, 205 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KUNU, 15 nm away - METAR: KUNU 311515Z AUTO 24003KT 7SM OVC006 18/16 A3005 RMK AO2 T01800164 ## 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 20210731008739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210731008739A), Jul 31, 2021: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Randolph, WI, Destroyed. On 07/31/2021 at approximately 1021 local (CST) during a CFR part 137 aerial agricultural spraying flight over a corn field, a Robinson R-44 ii helicopter… ## 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=103607. 5.1 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN21LA349 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12819727&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN21LA349_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array CEN21LA349 (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 958 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12818725&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN21LA349-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.