# NTSB CEN22LA345: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N719TF, Ithaca, NE, July 28, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 28, 2022, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Ithaca, NE - Coordinates: 41.1628, -96.5397 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1628&lon=-96.5397&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: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105620 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA345 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105620/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105620 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA345 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low level aerial application operations due to a distraction. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041500): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041500/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041500/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) - [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 II, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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 II, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640122), [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 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 was enroute to the next field he would spray and used a handheld GPS unit to navigate. When he finished imputing information into the GPS, he looked up and saw power lines across his flight path. The pilot pulled up on the collective and cyclic to climb; however, the helicopter struck the upper power line. The pilot entered an autorotation, during which the pilot felt unusual vibrations, but had full authority of the flight controls. The helicopter settled into a mature stand of corn, which resulted in structural damage to the tail boom and main rotor system. The pilot stated that he should have climbed to 500 ft agl before he used his GPS to navigate to the next field. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N719TF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N719TF-2024-02-03), registration cancelled 2024-02-03, S/N 10990, built 2005 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 10990 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 2854 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Blue Stem Leasing LLC - Registered owner: Blue Stem Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 23, 2022, 27 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: ADS-B, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 6, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,010 total, 340 in this make and model, 153 in the last 90 days, 145 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KAHQ, 5 nm away - METAR: KAHQ 281715Z AUTO 02006KT 10SM CLR 25/11 A3011 RMK A02 TO2520108 ## 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 20220728007099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220728007099A), Jul 28, 2022: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Ithaca, NE, Substantial damage. On July 28, 2022 at approximately 1215 local time, N719TF a Robinson R-44 helicopter was traveling east at an approximate altitude of 75 feet when it struck a… ## Other investigations on N719TF (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC16CA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16CA051), Aug 4, 2016: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N719TF), Homer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: An in-flight collision with a bird resulting in damage to a tail rotor blade, which required replacement. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 11, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105620. 4.4 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN22LA345 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14538247&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN22LA345_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array CEN22LA345 (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 503 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14538687&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN22LA345-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.