Robinson R44 II N422DX

Summary

On 6 December 2023 at about 01:30 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N422DX, operated by Merten Aviation Services LLC, was involved in an accident near Calexico, California, 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

6 December 2023 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Calexico, California, United States

Coordinates

32.6918, -115.4330

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N422DX

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2009

Engines

1

Operator

Merten Aviation Services LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA092

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines 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 was on an aerial application flight and was maneuvering the helicopter at a low altitude. During a decent to a field, the main rotor blade struck a powerline wire. The pilot felt an unusual vibration and performed a precautionary landing. A postflight examination revealed that a main rotor blade sustained substantial damage. No preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation were reported.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.