Robinson R44 N3066T

Summary

On 31 July 2019 at about 13:30 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N3066T, operated by Dakota Helicopters, Inc., was involved in an accident near Fessenden, North Dakota, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 July 2019 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fessenden, North Dakota, United States

Coordinates

47.6492, -99.6292

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N3066T

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Dakota Helicopters, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fessenden → Fessenden

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA473

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.  

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the agricultural application flight into rising terrain, he saw power wires. He said he "lowered the collective…slightly nose down" to attempt to go under the wires, but the helicopter struck the wires, rolled right, and started descending. The helicopter touched down, bounced, spun right, and then rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.