# NTSB CEN21LA421: Robinson Helicopter R66, N166LW, Reynoldsville, IL, September 15, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 15, 2021, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Reynoldsville, IL
- Coordinates: 37.3673, -89.3951 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3673&lon=-89.3951&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: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA421
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103884/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103884
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA421

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the wire during low altitude operations in windy conditions.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 during an aerial application flight, the wind was about 10-15 mph from the south. During the flight, the pilot noted that the wind created a “pocket of turbulence” over a wire due to a gap in nearby trees. As the helicopter went over the wire, a pocket of descending air pushed the helicopter into the wire. The pilot made an uneventful precautionary landing at his nearby landing site; the main rotor blades sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N166LW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N166LW), registered now, S/N 0766, built 2017 (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: 0766
- Year built: 2017
- Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C300/A1 300 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Thompson Flying Service LLC
- Registered owner: Thompson Flying Service LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: McClure, IL
- Airport: n/a
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: KCGI, 12 nm away
- METAR: KCGI 152000Z AUTO 03007KT 10SM CLR 29/19 A2994 RMK T02900190

## 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 20210915011519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210915011519A), Sep 15, 2021: Robinson Helicopter Co R66, Reynoldsville, IL, Minor damage. On 9/15/2021 at 1500 hrs N166LW, a Robinson helicopter, model R66, s/n 0766 hit a powerline while spraying the field below, causing damage to one blade and…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 6, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103884. 611 KB in all.

- Record of email - pilot statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13423461&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROE%20pilot%20to%20faa-Rel.pdf
- On scene photos - courtesy of the pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 384 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13423417&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photos%20for%20dms-Rel.pdf
- Record of memorandum - regarding NTSB pilot/operator form (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13425892&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Memorandum%20no%206120-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.

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