N20KD

Destroyed
Minor

ROBINSON R44S/N: 0983

Accident Details

Date
Friday, August 7, 2015
NTSB Number
CEN15CA348
Location
Kansasville, WI
Event ID
20150811X15940
Coordinates
42.731109, -88.111663
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inability to see and avoid power lines that were low to the ground and a green color that blended with the background crops.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N20KD
Make
ROBINSON
Serial Number
0983
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2001
Model / ICAO
R44R44
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
DEAKINS BACK NINE DAIRY LLC
Address
N6164 COBB RD
Status
Deregistered
City
ELKHORN
State / Zip Code
WI 53121-4036
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot's accident report, he flew over the field that was to be sprayed with pesticides and looked for obstacles. Seeing none, he commenced spraying and collided with power lines. The pilot said the power lines were only 13 feet off the ground and were green in color that blended in with the background crops. The pilot wrote, "It was in my opinion [that it was] impossible to see the wires that I hit." According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who went to the site, the helicopter's canopy contacted the power lines, then the lines slid beneath the helicopter and caught the skids. The helicopter nosed over and impacted terrain.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN15CA348