Robinson R44 II N62RK

Summary

On 14 July 2023 at about 00:00 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N62RK was involved in an accident near Pocahontas, 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

14 July 2023 at 00:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Pocahontas, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

38.8245, -89.5424

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N62RK

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Flora → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN23LA306

Nobody was injured.

A reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while spraying corn about 15 ft above ground level and at an airspeed of about 60 miles per hour, the engine “started to spit and sputter” and then lost total power. He attempted to reduce the airspeed and initiated a flare before colliding with 10 ft tall corn stalks. During the impact with the corn stalks the helicopter’s landing gear skids and tail boom separated and the helicopter bounced off the ground. The helicopter became airborne, traveled about 30 ft, rolled over, and came to rest onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported the helicopter fuel tanks contained about 10 gallons of fuel and an odor of fuel was noted at the accident site. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.