# NTSB CEN22LA366: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N619RB, Maynard, IA, August 5, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 5, 2022, 11:00, time zone not recorded
- Place: Maynard, IA
- Coordinates: 42.81996, -91.84472
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8200&lon=-91.8447&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
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA366
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105687/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105687
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA366

## Probable cause

An impact with a powerline as a result of an unexpected wind gust.

## Findings

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

- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (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 reported that during an aerial application flight in a helicopter, he experienced a gust of wind that caused the nose of the helicopter to dip and lose altitude, which resulted in an impact with a powerline and substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N619RB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N619RB), registered now, S/N 11087, 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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 11087
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 3769
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Gateway Helicopter Tours, In, doing business as Precision Aerial Service
- Registered owner: November Alpha LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 30, 2022, 41 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 8, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,100 total, 600 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KOLZ, 10 nm away
- METAR: KOLZ 051555Z AUTO 15007G12KT 10SM CLR 25/21 A3010 RMK A01

## 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 20220805007629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220805007629A), Aug 5, 2022: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Maynard, IA, Substantial damage. During aerial application the helicopter struck a powerline near the field being sprayed. The powerline struck the front windshield then contacted the main…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 24, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105687. 3.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14319735&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 653 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14319387&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14319210&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 842 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14319714&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.

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