Robinson Helicopter Co R66 N166LW accident near Reynoldsville, Illinois

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the wire during low altitude operations in windy conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight, the wind was about 10-15 mph from the south. During the flight, the pilot noted that the wind created a “pocket of turbulence” over a wire due to a gap in nearby trees. As the helicopter went over the wire, a pocket of descending air pushed the helicopter into the wire. The pilot made an uneventful precautionary landing at his nearby landing site; the main rotor blades sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA421 for the full record.