Robinson R44 N570WH

Summary

On 20 July 2020 at about 18:40 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N570WH, operated by MF Helicopters LLC, was involved in an accident near Dickeyville, Wisconsin, 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

20 July 2020 at 18:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Dickeyville, Wisconsin, United States

Coordinates

42.6253, -90.5878

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N570WH

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1998

Engines

1

Operator

MF Helicopters LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Dickeyville → Dickeyville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20CA300

Nobody was injured.

The pilot did not maintain clearance from wires during an aerial application flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while performing an aerial application flight at low altitude, the helicopter impacted wires between two poles. He stated the wires were higher than he expected due to the change in terrain contours relative to the poles, and he did not see the wires until just before impact. He then performed a precautionary landing to an adjacent waterway. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. 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.