Robinson R44 N97UP

Summary

On 14 August 2017 at about 18:15 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N97UP, operated by MF Helicopters LLC., was involved in an accident near Westby, Wisconsin, 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

14 August 2017 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Westby, Wisconsin, United States

Coordinates

43.6603, -90.8611

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N97UP

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1996

Engines

1

Operator

MF Helicopters LLC.

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

East Troy → Westby

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA491

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering at 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, during an agricultural application flight, he performed a "high…[reconnaissance]" pass over the field and observed houses, tree lines, and power lines surrounding the field. He added that he descended for the first pass, about 70 mph and 100 to 150 ft above ground level, and as he approached the end of the field, he "suddenly became aware of two [additional] large power lines stretched out in front of [him] at eye level and closing fast." He further added that he "instinctively pulled up on the collective and back on the cyclic," and the fuselage cleared the wire, but suddenly there was a "violent lurch" when the tail rotor contacted the wire. Subsequently, the helicopter started to "spin out of control," the pilot braced for impact, and the helicopter impacted the terrain. The fuselage, tailboom, and main rotor sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.