# NTSB ERA21LA270: Robinson Helicopter R66, N7078V, Waxhaw, NC, June 27, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 27, 2021, 11:43 local (15:43 UTC) - Place: Waxhaw, NC · Farmland/Corn with powerlines - Coordinates: 34.967021, -80.646883 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9670&lon=-80.6469&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - 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: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103349 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA270 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103349/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103349 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA270 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a low-level 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 R66, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640130), [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 · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640130), [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); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he observed several power lines when performing reconnaissance flights prior to beginning spraying operations. He attempted to avoid them as he began applying the fungicide to the corn field; however, the helicopter impacted a green, thin power line “less than the diameter of a pencil” that the pilot had not previously observed. The helicopter began to vibrate and became difficult to control. The pilot initiated a 180° right turn to avoid trees and the helicopter impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot stated that the helicopter had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7078V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7078V-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 0425, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R66 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R66](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r66) (registry code 7640130) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C300/A1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c300-a1) (registry code 54232, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0425 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 996.45 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C300/A1 300 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Blade Ag LLC - Registered owner: Chopper Ag Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 2021 - Departed: KPYG, Pageland, SC - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 12, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,554 total, 153 in this make and model, 2,462 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: EQY, 3 nm away - METAR: KEQY 271553Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM FEW033 SCT043 28/20 A3025 RMK AO2 SLP241 T02780200 ## 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 20210627008769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210627008769A), Jun 27, 2021: Robinson Helicopter Co R66, Monroe, NC, Substantial damage. On 6/27/2021 at approximately 1142 local time, Robinson R-66, registration number N7078V, piloted by [privacy data omitted], commercial pilot certificate… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 5, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103349. 13.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 11.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13246363&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20Pilots%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation_pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13265219&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation_Pilot-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record_FAA inspectors statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13254926&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record_FAA_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident site overview showing powerlines and wire (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13260637&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Overview%20of%20Accident%20Site%20with%20Powerlines%20and%20Wire-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13246447&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20and%20Damage%20Photographs_N7078V-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.