Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Viola, Tennessee, July 12, 2015
On July 12, 2015 at about 1:00 pm local time, a 1996 Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N577AT, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Viola, Tennessee. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to see and avoid a guy wire, which resulted in contact with the wire and subsequent collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 2015 · about 1:00 pm local time
- Place
- Viola, Tennessee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44, built 1996 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N577AT · no longer on the register · serial 0232
- 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 of the helicopter stated that he made two passes over the field to check for obstructions prior to beginning the aerial application flight, and remembered observing only one guy wire. While making a final application to the edges of the field, the pilot flew around the previously-observed guy wire, but the helicopter's skid contacted a second wire that he had not seen. The helicopter impacted the ground on its side, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of 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
- Miscellaneous/other during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Situational awareness › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,617 hours in all; 264 in this make and model; 181 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 2,543 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 20, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,231 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 19, 2015; 59 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540 SER (piston); 1,231 hours total
- Operator: Air Assault Agricultural Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Morrison TN at 12:51 pm
- Destination: Viola TN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from RNC, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on July 28, 2015. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | PIC Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo 1- View of Main Wreckage from Front. | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 2- View of Main Wreckage from Flat Bed Trailer. | 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.