ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R66 near Reynoldsville, IL — 2021-09-15

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the wire during low altitude operations in windy conditions.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight, the wind was about 10-15 mph from the south. During the flight, the pilot noted that the wind created a “pocket of turbulence” over a wire due to a gap in nearby trees. As the helicopter went over the wire, a pocket of descending air pushed the helicopter into the wire. The pilot made an uneventful precautionary landing at his nearby landing site; the main rotor blades sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.

NTSB coding

• Low altitude operation/event · Maneuvering-low-alt flying
• Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) · Maneuvering-low-alt flying

Evidence available

• Photos
• 3 docket documents

Docket documents3

• RECORD OF MEMORANDUM - REGARDING NTSB PILOT/OPERATOR FORMform
• RECORD OF EMAIL - PILOT STATEMENTinterview
• ON SCENE PHOTOS - COURTESY OF THE PILOTphotos

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