# NTSB CEN22LA006: Robinson Helicopter R66, N266RK, Delta, MO, October 5, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 5, 2021, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Delta, MO · Ditch - Coordinates: 37.206, -89.74571 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2060&lon=-89.7457&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 104056 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104056/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104056 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA006 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate inflight planning and his failure to see and avoid a wire which resulted in contact with the wire and subsequent ground impact. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); 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) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01030000): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01030000/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 72 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01030000/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640130), [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 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 spray operations the helicopter contacted a wire and then impacted terrain, which damaged the main rotor mast and tail boom. Following the accident, the pilot realized the poles holding the wire were concealed by trees and that he should have conducted a more thorough inflight survey of the spray area. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N266RK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N266RK), registered now, S/N 0563, built 2014 (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: 0563 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 1935 - Engines: Rolls-Royce RRE-200570 300 hp turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Thompson Flying Service LLC - Registered owner: Thompson Flying Service LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 12, 2021, 23 hours before - Departed: Priv, Delta, MO - Destination: Priv, Delta, MO - Airport: None - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 20, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 2,941 total, 2,104 in this make and model, 2,941 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KCGI, 8 nm away - METAR: KCGI 051853Z 05007KT 10SM CLR 26/18 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP177 T02560178 ## 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 20211005017419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211005017419A), Oct 5, 2021: Robinson Helicopter Co R66, Delta, MO, Substantial damage. The pilot was following a canal applying herbicide. A low set of power lines paralleled the canal and the pilot was focused on avoiding those wires. The… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104056. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 842 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12838528&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20and%20statement%20-%20redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo of damage to main rotor mast (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 906 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12838956&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-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.