# NTSB GAA19CA481: Robinson R66, N1767L, Vandalia, IL, August 2, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 2, 2019, 15:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Vandalia, IL - Coordinates: 38.975276, -89.142501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9753&lon=-89.1425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99994 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA481 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99994/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99994 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA481 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural 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) - [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 R66, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640130), [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 · Effect on operation (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) (defining event); 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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, during high reconnaissance of a field intended for agricultural application, he saw power lines surrounding the field. He started the application southbound from the northwest section, and after travelling about 300 yards and while about 15 ft above ground level, the helicopter struck a power line, after which the pilot was able to land the helicopter on an adjacent field without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blade. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that, during a high reconnaissance of a field intended for agricultural application, he saw power lines surrounding the field. He started the application southbound from the northwest section and after travelling about 300 yards, about 15 ft above the ground, the helicopter struck a power line, after which he was able to land the helicopter on to an adjacent field without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blade. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1767L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1767L), registered now, S/N 0044 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R66 (No Series) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R66](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r66) (registry code 7640130) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c300-series) (registry code 54225, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0044 - Year built: 2011 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-R300 turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Helicrops Llc - Registered owner: Helicrops Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: VLA, Vandalia, IL - Destination: VLA, Vandalia, IL - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,696 total, 94 in this make and model, 6,636 as pilot in command, 217 in the last 90 days, 145 in the last 30 days, 5.6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: K3LF, 27 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 20190802013229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190802013229A), Aug 2, 2019: Robinson Helicopter Co R66, Vandalia, IL, Substantial damage. On August 02, 2019 at 1535 local time a Robinson R66 helicopter struck a suspended power line running from east to west in Vandalia, IL. The pilot was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99994. 7.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 7.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477769&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.