Robinson R44 II N824DK

Summary

On 2 July 2015 at about 02:00 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N824DK, operated by Warner Farm Corp., was involved in an accident near Forest City, South Dakota, 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

2 July 2015 at 02:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Forest City, South Dakota, United States

Coordinates

45.0003, -100.2803

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N824DK

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Warner Farm Corp.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Forest City → Forest City

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

GAA15CA196

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to monitor the flight environment for adequate terrain/obstacle clearance during takeoff, which resulted in the inflight collision with power transmission line wires.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after he dropped his passenger off on a road, he departed to the east in smoky and hazy conditions. Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter impacted power transmission line wires that ran across the road. The helicopter then impacted the ground and skidded to a stop.   The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotors, upper arm, and fork assembly.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.