Robinson R44 N4246Z

Summary

On 3 January 2019 at about 17:00 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N4246Z was involved in an accident near Grace, Idaho, 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

3 January 2019 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Grace, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

42.4619, -111.7022

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N4246Z

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2009

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grace → Grace

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA110

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, shortly after liftoff to the north from his property, he saw coyote tracks and "wanted to inspect." To better observe the coyote, he maneuvered at a low altitude, which led him to cross over a power line. After crossing the power line for a third time, he spotted the coyote, turned left, diverted his attention from the power line, continued to turn left, and the main rotor blades struck the power line. He maintained control of the helicopter and landed without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.