# NTSB GAA15CA196: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N824DK, Forest City, SD, July 2, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 1, 2015, 21:00 local (Jul 2, 2015, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Forest City, SD - Coordinates: 45.000278, -100.280281 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0003&lon=-100.2803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91612 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91612/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91612 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA196 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to monitor the flight environment for adequate terrain/obstacle clearance during takeoff, which resulted in the inflight collision with power transmission line wires. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01040000): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01040000/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01040000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: haze/smoke](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after he dropped his passenger off on a road, he departed to the east in smoky and hazy conditions. Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter impacted power transmission line wires that ran across the road. The helicopter then impacted the ground and skidded to a stop. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotors, upper arm, and fork assembly. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after he dropped his passenger off on a road, he departed to the east in smoky and hazy conditions. Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter impacted power transmission line wires that ran across the road. The helicopter then impacted the ground and skidded to a stop. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotors, upper arm, and fork assembly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N824DK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N824DK), registered now, S/N 11117, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II (II) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 11117 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 391 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 AE1A5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Warner Farm Corp. - Registered owner: Warner Farm Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 2015, 16 hours before - Departed: Forest City, SD - Destination: Forest City, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 19, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 261 total, 249 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 70° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KMBG, 33 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 20150701010639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150701010639A), Jul 1, 2015: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Gettysburg, SD, Minor damage. On July 1, 2015, at 2100 hours, a 2006 Robinson R44 ii helicopter, owned by warner farm corporation, was involved in an incident during take-off climb-out… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91612. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432375&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 336 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432376&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (Mechanic) (item 3, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432377&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Mechanic)-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.