Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during the agricultural application flight into rising terrain, he saw power wires. He said he "lowered the collective…slightly nose down" to attempt to go under the wires, but the helicopter struck the wires, rolled right, and started descending. The helicopter touched down, bounced, spun right, and then rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA473 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 31, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fessenden, North Dakota
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Robinson R44
- N-number
- N3066T
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2007
- 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.