Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a powerline during landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the helicopter stated that, during landing, his vision was obscured by the sun and dust from the helicopter's rotor wash. The pilot performed a pedal turn, during which the tail rotor impacted a powerline that was next to a road. The helicopter began to spin, the pilot pulled back on the cyclic and lowered the collective, and the helicopter subsequently impacted the ground. The accident is consistent with the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerline during landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20LA066 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 24, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Charlotte, Texas
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Robinson R22
- N-number
- N8364Y
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1998
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.