# NTSB GAA17CA265: Rotorcraft Development OH-58A+, N993YC, Waterloo, IL, May 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2017, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Waterloo, IL - Coordinates: 38.29, -90.230003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2900&lon=-90.2300&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 July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95129 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA265 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95129/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95129 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA265 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid transmission wires while maneuvering at a low altitude. ## 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: [Rotorcraft Development OH-58A+, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3740050), [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: [Rotorcraft Development OH-58A+, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=3740050), [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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Rotorcraft Development OH-58A+, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=3740050), [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: [Rotorcraft Development OH-58A+, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=3740050), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rotorcraft Development OH-58A+, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3740050), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, while maneuvering at a low altitude for an agricultural application flight, he began flying along the north side of the intended spraying field. He added that he was paying attention to the trees along the field to maintain adequate clearance. He further added that the main rotor blades struck transmission wires and that he then heard a "high pitch sound" coming from the engine and the rpm decrease. The nose pitched up, and the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had noticed the transmission wires earlier in flight but that he later forgot where they were located. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that while maneuvering at a low altitude for an agricultural application flight he began flying along the north side of the intended spraying field. He added that he was paying attention to the trees along the field to maintain adequate clearance. He further added that the main rotor blades struck transmission line wires, and then he heard a "high pitch sound that came from the engine" and the rpm decreased. The nose pitched up and the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had noticed the transmission line wires earlier in flight, but later had forgotten where they were located. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N993YC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N993YC-2018-09-20), registration cancelled 2018-09-20, S/N 71-20367, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROTORCRAFT DEVELOPMENT CORP OH-58A+ (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Rotorcraft Development OH-58A+](https://openairdocs.org/model/rotorcraft-development-oh-58a-plus) (registry code 3740050) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison T63-A-720](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-t63-a-720) (registry code 03083, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 71-20367 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 4580.7 - Engines: ALLISON T63-A-720 turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Klinkenborg Aerial Spraying & Seeding In - Registered owner: Klinkenborg Aerial Spraying & Seeding In - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2017 - Departed: 1IL4, MILLSTADT, IL - Flight plan: Unknown - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,556 total, 456 in this make and model, 5,450 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KCPS, 17 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 20170507008699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170507008699A), May 7, 2017: Rotorcraft Development Corp OH-58A+, Waterloo, IL, Destroyed. On may 07, 2017 at approximately 1450CST OH-58A+ helicopter, N993YC contacted power lines while performing aerial spraying operations which caused the pilot to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95129. 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=40453114&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 532 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453115&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.