# NTSB CEN26LA289: Robinson Helicopter R44 Raven 1, N26EH, Scribner, NE, July 18, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 18, 2026, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Scribner, NE - Coordinates: 41.625303, -96.674412 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6253&lon=-96.6744&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 October 1, 2026 - 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): 203591 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203591/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203591 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA289 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low-level altitude during an agricultural operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (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) - [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) - [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 he was conducting aerial pollination in a corn field. Before beginning the pollination, the pilot flew an inspection circuit around the area to identify potential hazards and observed a center-pivot irrigation system and the power lines along the east and west sides of the field. The pilot reported that he completed about 3/4 of the field pollination and had two passes remaining. While turning the helicopter to enter another pass, the pilot focused on the target row, lost sight of the power lines, and the helicopter struck a power line wire with the tail rotor. Following the wire strike, the pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing. During the landing, the helicopter contacted the ground on the right skid, bounced, and yawed slightly to the right before it came to a stop. A post-accident examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the right rear aft strut mounting area, and damage to the pilot seat floor structure at the forward strut attachment. The pilot reported that there was no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26EH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26EH), registered now, S/N 1128, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 Raven 1 - 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: 1128 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 2314 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2026 - Departed: KSCB, Scribner, NE - Airport: KSCB, Scribner State - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 28, 2026; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 337 total, 101 in this make and model, 244 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KFET, 13 nm away - METAR: METAR KFET 191215Z AUTO 08004KT 10SM SCT065 23/20 A3002 RMK AO2 T02270198= ## 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 20260718010589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260718010589A), Jul 18, 2026: Robinson Helicopter R44, Scribner, NE, Substantial damage. Pilot struck a power line while pollinating a field with a rotorcraft 2 nautical miles northwest of kscb resulting in damage to the main rotor blades and… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203591. 10.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 9.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20861892&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_redacted_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement - FAA (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 665 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20856382&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=20260723%20-%20Pilot%20Statement%20-%20Email%20-%20Copy_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 328 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20860248&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20Photos-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.