# NTSB ERA15CA262: Robinson Helicopter R44, N577AT, Viola, TN, July 12, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 12, 2015, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Viola, TN - Coordinates: 35.310001, -85.519996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3100&lon=-85.5200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Nashville FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91540 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA262 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91540/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91540 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA262 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to see and avoid a guy wire, which resulted in contact with the wire and subsequent collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/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) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter stated that he made two passes over the field to check for obstructions prior to beginning the aerial application flight, and remembered observing only one guy wire. While making a final application to the edges of the field, the pilot flew around the previously-observed guy wire, but the helicopter's skid contacted a second wire that he had not seen. The helicopter impacted the ground on its side, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the helicopter stated that he made two passes over the field to check for obstructions prior to beginning the aerial application flight, and remembered observing only one guy wire. While making a final application to the edges of the field, the pilot flew around the previously-observed guy wire, but the helicopter's skid contacted a second wire that he had not seen. The helicopter impacted the ground on its side, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N577AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N577AT-2018-03-30), registration cancelled 2018-03-30, S/N 0232, built 1996 (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 TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0232 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 1231 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 SER 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Air Assault Agricultural Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Air Assault Agricultural Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 19, 2015, 59 hours before - Departed: Morrison, TN - Destination: Viola, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 20, 2015; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,617 total, 264 in this make and model, 2,543 as pilot in command, 181 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: RNC, 12 nm away ## 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 20150712009669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150712009669A), Jul 12, 2015: Robinson Helicopter R44, Morrison, TN, Substantial damage. Air operator was performing aerial applications to a field when the aircraft came in contact with electrical pole guide wires. The aircraft impacted the ground… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 28, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91540. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - PIC Statement (item 2, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PIC%20Statement%20-Redacted.PDF - Record of Interview, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429931&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo 1- View of Main Wreckage from Front. (item 4, .PDF, 823 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429932&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20from%20Front.-Master.PDF - Photo 2- View of Main Wreckage from Flat Bed Trailer. (item 5, .PDF, 641 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429933&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20from%20Flat%20Bed%20Trailer.-Master.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.