# NTSB GAA16CA006: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N174CD, Devine, TX, October 5, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 5, 2015, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Devine, TX - Coordinates: 29.107778, -98.946662 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1078&lon=-98.9467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 17, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA San Antonio FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92127 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92127/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92127 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA006 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the takeoff, which resulted in the helicopter striking power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/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: 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) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff from a field next to an office building, the helicopter came in contact with one or two power lines, which caught on the left skid, and pulled the helicopter to the left. The main rotor blades contacted two power lines, and cut both of them. The pilot attempted to maintain control of the helicopter but it rolled to the left and impacted the ground. He reported that "the wires hit were invisible to me at the time of departure." A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, the main rotor blade system, the tail boom, and the tail rotor blade system. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff from a field next to an office building, the helicopter came in contact with one or two power lines, which caught on the left skid, and pulled the helicopter to the left. The main rotor blades contacted two power lines, and cut both of them. The pilot attempted to maintain control of the helicopter but it rolled to the left and impacted the ground. He reported that "the wires hit were invisible to me at the time of departure." A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, the main rotor blade system, the tail boom, and the tail rotor blade system. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot also stated as a safety recommendation, it would be "Best to walk the entire departure path, look for poles, wires, and guy wires prior to departure, especially with trees present, and a dark day which conceals the presence of wires. Don't get locked into one departure route. Turn the cellphone off when evaluating sites, and look 360 degrees." ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Robinson Helicopter Company Safety Notice SN-16 Robinson Helicopter Company has published Safety Notice SN-16 Power Lines Are Deadly (revised June 1994). This safety notice discusses wire strike mitigation techniques. The safety notices states; Flying into wires, cables, and other objects is by far the number one cause of fatal accidents in helicopters. Pilots must constantly be on the alert for this very real hazard. Watch for the towers; you will not see the wires in time. Fly directly over the towers when crossing power lines. Allow for the smaller, usually invisible, grounding wire(s) which are well above the larger more visible wires. Constantly scan the higher terrain on either side of your flight path for towers. Always maintain at least 500 feet above ground level (AGL) except during takeoff and landing. By always flying above 500 feet AGL, you can virtually eliminate the primary cause of fatal accidents. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N174CD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N174CD-2016-02-19), registration cancelled 2016-02-19, S/N 13863, built 2015 (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-AE1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (registry code 41899, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 13863 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 33.4 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Over & Out Inc. - Registered owner: Over & Out Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DZB, HORSESHOE BAY, TX - Destination: 23R, DEVINE, TX - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 12, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 14,244 total, 366.8 in this make and model, 14,244 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 2.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KHDO, 19 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 20151005018309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151005018309A), Oct 5, 2015: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Devine, TX, Substantial damage. N174CD lifted off of an un approved ranch area and directly contacted overhead powerlines with the rotor blades. N174CD subsequently contacted the ground and… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92127. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434962&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Robinson Helicopter Company Safety Notice SN-16 (item 2, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434963&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Robinson%20Helicopter%20Company%20Safety%20Notice%20SN-16-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 972 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.