Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II near Macedonia, IA — 2014-09-06

Final reportCEN14LA487
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Date
2014-09-06
Location
Macedonia, IA, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Registration
N699TQ
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a static line.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting agricultural spray operations in a helicopter. He had sprayed three fields earlier in the day and was en route to the next field when the accident occurred. Witnesses reported observing the helicopter heading north and then colliding with a suspended static line. The helicopter subsequently pitched up, descended, and impacted terrain. Larger transmission lines were located above the smaller static lines. A witness who was about 1/4 mile from the accident site stated that he could see the larger transmission lines but that he did not see the smaller static lines until the helicopter struck one of them. He also stated that it did not appear that the pilot took any evasive action to avoid the line. A postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not take evasive action to avoid the static line.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 16 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents16

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