# NTSB CEN23LA328: Robinson Helicopter R44, N467HA, Hanlontown, IA, July 26, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 26, 2023, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Hanlontown, IA
- Coordinates: 43.30689, -93.39383 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3069&lon=-93.3938&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): 192722
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA328
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192722/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192722
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA328

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a cable during spray operations.

## Findings

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

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while spraying at low altitude with power lines on the edges of the field, the airplane struck a cable, which resulted in substantial damage to the tail rotor blades and tail rotor drive shaft. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation and that he should have examined the field more thoroughly prior to conducting spray operations.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N467HA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N467HA), registered now, S/N 0984, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-F1B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (registry code 42353, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0984
- Year built: 2001
- Engines: Lycoming O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Dyvig Enterprises LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: PRI, Hanlontown, IA
- Destination: PRI, Hanlontown, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 23, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 516 total, 148 in this make and model, 489 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 111 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: KMCW, 10 nm away
- METAR: KMCW 261953Z AUTO VRB04KT 10SM CLR 32/21 A2985 RMK AO2 SLP090 T03220211

## 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 20230726008039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230726008039A), Jul 26, 2023: Robinson Helicopter R44, Hanlontown, IA, Substantial damage. Shortly after entering first application run, pilot noticed powerline crossing his flight path about 20 feet ahead. Following the wire strike, pilot performed…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192722. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15944913&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-----_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos of damage (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 683 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15944808&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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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