Rotorcraft Development OH-58A+ N993YC

Summary

On 7 May 2017 at about 19:50 local time, a Rotorcraft Development OH-58A+ registered N993YC, operated by Klinkenborg Aerial Spraying & Seeding In, was involved in an accident near Waterloo, Illinois, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 May 2017 at 19:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Waterloo, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

38.2900, -90.2300

Aircraft

Rotorcraft Development OH-58A+

Registration

N993YC

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1971

Engines

1

Operator

Klinkenborg Aerial Spraying & Seeding In

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Millstadt → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA265

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to see and avoid transmission wires while maneuvering at a low altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, while maneuvering at a low altitude for an agricultural application flight, he began flying along the north side of the intended spraying field. He added that he was paying attention to the trees along the field to maintain adequate clearance. He further added that the main rotor blades struck transmission wires and that he then heard a "high pitch sound" coming from the engine and the rpm decrease. The nose pitched up, and the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had noticed the transmission wires earlier in flight but that he later forgot where they were located.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.