# NTSB GAA17CA279: Robinson Helicopter R44, N428JG, Vevay, IN, May 10, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 10, 2017, 16:27 local (20:27 UTC) - Place: Vevay, IN - Coordinates: 38.746143000000004, -85.07325 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7461&lon=-85.0733&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95174 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95174/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95174 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA279 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines during an agricultural application flight due to distraction when reading a map. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 589 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 810 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [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, 227 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: 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 he accomplished a high reconnaissance of the field before maneuvering to descend for an agricultural application. He recalled that his attention was split between visually acquiring the intended application area and the indications on his digital map mounted in the cockpit. He descended below a tree line into the intended application area, but "I was still attempting to compare the crop on my field to my map, and was not looking outside the aircraft as diligently as required." He diverted his attention outside the cockpit and noticed power lines at eye level. He immediately lowered the collective and applied forward cyclic, but the main rotor mast struck the power lines. He landed the helicopter in the field; however, the main rotor blades sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he accomplished a high reconnaissance before maneuvering to descend for an aerial application. He recalled that his attention was split between visually acquiring the intended application area and the indications on his digital map mounted in the cockpit. He descended below a tree line into the intended application area, but "I was still attempting to compare the crop on my field to my map, and was not looking outside the aircraft as diligently as required." He diverted his attention outside the cockpit and noticed powerline wires at eye level. He asserted that he immediately lowered the collective and applied forward cyclic, but the main rotor mast struck the powerline wires. He landed the helicopter in the field, however, the main rotor blades sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N428JG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N428JG), registered now, S/N 10168, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 (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: 10168 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 2220 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: AG-Max LLC - Registered owner: St Louis Helicopter LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2017 - Departed: Vevay, IN - Destination: Vevay, IN - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 11, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,455 total, 936 in this make and model, 1,370.8 as pilot in command, 25.3 in the last 90 days, 24.3 in the last 30 days, 5.4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KLOU, 30 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 20170510005889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170510005889A), May 10, 2017: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Vevay, IN, Substantial damage. The pilot failed to see power lines along the perimeter of the field where he was conducting aerial spraying (part 137) in a helicopter. The helicopter made… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95174. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456826&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456827&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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.