Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II near Marshall, MO — 2022-07-31

Final reportCEN22LA350
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Date
2022-07-31
Location
Marshall, MO, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Registration
N458SG
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to adequately survey a field for obstructions prior to a low-level aerial application pass, which resulted in an impact with a powerline.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during an aerial application flight in a helicopter, he mistakenly thought a power pole he had observed during an overflight was the termination point of a powerline. He stated that he failed to notice another power pole that was obscured by trees near a small house and impacted the lines between the poles during a spray pass. The helicopter subsequently impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom and main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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