Robinson R66 N1767L

Summary

On 2 August 2019 at about 20:35 local time, a Robinson R66 registered N1767L, operated by Helicrops Llc, was involved in an accident near Vandalia, Illinois, 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 August 2019 at 20:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Vandalia, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

38.9753, -89.1425

Aircraft

Robinson R66

Registration

N1767L

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2011

Operator

Helicrops Llc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Vandalia → Vandalia

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA481

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines 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 helicopter pilot reported that, during high reconnaissance of a field intended for agricultural application, he saw power lines surrounding the field. He started the application southbound from the northwest section, and after travelling about 300 yards and while about 15 ft above ground level, the helicopter struck a power line, after which the pilot was able to land the helicopter on an adjacent field without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blade. 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.