N577AT

Substantial
None

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44S/N: 0232

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, July 12, 2015
NTSB Number
ERA15CA262
Location
Viola, TN
Event ID
20150713X14241
Coordinates
35.310001, -85.519996
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to see and avoid a guy wire, which resulted in contact with the wire and subsequent collision with terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N577AT
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER
Serial Number
0232
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1996
Model / ICAO
R44R44
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
AIR ASSAULT AGRICULTURAL AVIATION LLC
Address
3133 SWAN CREEK RD
Status
Deregistered
City
JONESVILLE
State / Zip Code
NC 28642-9441
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot of the helicopter stated that he made two passes over the field to check for obstructions prior to beginning the aerial application flight, and remembered observing only one guy wire. While making a final application to the edges of the field, the pilot flew around the previously-observed guy wire, but the helicopter's skid contacted a second wire that he had not seen. The helicopter impacted the ground on its side, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA15CA262