Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON R44 near Kansasville, WI — 2015-08-07

Final reportCEN15CA348
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Date
2015-08-07
Location
Kansasville, WI, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON R44
Registration
N20KD
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inability to see and avoid power lines that were low to the ground and a green color that blended with the background crops.

NTSB narrative

The pilot flew over the field to be sprayed looking for obstacles. Seeing none, he commenced spraying and collided with power lines. The pilot said the power lines were only 13 feet off the ground and were green in color that blended in with the background crops. The helicopter's canopy contacted the power lines, then the lines slid beneath the helicopter and caught the skids. The helicopter nosed over and impacted terrain.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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