Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate inflight planning and his failure to see and avoid a wire which resulted in contact with the wire and subsequent ground impact.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during spray operations the helicopter contacted a wire and then impacted terrain, which damaged the main rotor mast and tail boom. Following the accident, the pilot realized the poles holding the wire were concealed by trees and that he should have conducted a more thorough inflight survey of the spray area. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA006 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 5, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Delta, Missouri
- Nearest airport
- (None)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Robinson Helicopter Co R66
- N-number
- N266RK
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2014
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
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.