Robinson Helicopter CO R66 accident near Delta, Missouri, October 5, 2021
On October 5, 2021 at about 7:20 pm local time, a 2014 Robinson Helicopter CO R66, registered N266RK, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Delta, Missouri. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 5, 2021 · about 7:20 pm local time
- Place
- Delta, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter CO R66, built 2014
- Registration
- N266RK · registry record · serial 0563
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Flight planning/navigation › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › (general) › (general) › Damaged/degraded
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,941 hours in all; 2,104 in this make and model; 350 in the last 90 days; 55 in the last 30 days; 2,941 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 20, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,935 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 12, 2021; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,700 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce RRE-200570 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Thompson Flying Service LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Priv Delta MO at 6:55 pm
- Destination: Priv Delta MO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KCGI, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCGI 051853Z 05007KT 10SM CLR 26/18 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP177 T02560178
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on November 18, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo of Damage to Main Rotor Mast | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.