# NTSB CEN24LA252: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N225AM, New Florence, MO, July 4, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 4, 2024, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: New Florence, MO · Corn field near New Florence MO - Coordinates: 38.919, -91.489 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9190&lon=-91.4890&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): 194632 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194632/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194632 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA252 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude/clearance from a dead tree limb during an aerial application flight. ## 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 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: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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 During an aerial application flight, the helicopter was climbing out from a spray pass along a narrow field when the tail rotor hit a dead tree limb. The helicopter started spinning to the right, entered an uncontrolled descent, and impacted the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and fuselage. The pilot and operator reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N225AM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N225AM), registered now, S/N 12221, built 2008 (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-AE1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (registry code 41899, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 12221 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 645 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE-1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Nordwald Aviation Services LLC - Registered owner: Nordwald Aviation Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 2024, 45 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 31, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,195 total, 314 in this make and model, 1,145 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KMYJ, 21 nm away - METAR: KMYJ 042335Z AUTO 29006KT 10SM SCT037 BKN048 28/22 A2987 RMK AO2 ## 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 20240704010619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240704010619A), Jul 4, 2024: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, New Florence, MO, Destroyed. The airman was conducting part 137 spray operations and made a cleanup pass along the edge of a field, descending to approximately 15 feet above the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194632. 4.1 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN24LA252 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17613766&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN24LA252_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs CEN24LA252 (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 802 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17617393&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20CEN24LA252-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.