Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II N192E accident near Logan, Iowa

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural application flight.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot was performing an agricultural application flight and completed two reconnaissance passes and orbits of the field he was about to spray. The pilot reported that he did not see any power lines that posed a danger for the flight. While maneuvering at a low altitude during a pass turn, the helicopter struck a wire that the pilot did not see. After the helicopter struck the wire, the helicopter windscreen failed, and the helicopter violently shook. The pilot entered an autorotation to the field, and the helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, and main rotor blades. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the helicopter.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN17CA346 for the full record.