Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Pocahontas, Illinois, July 7, 2017
On July 7, 2017 at about 9:15 pm local time, a 2006 Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N62FA, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) operating) near Pocahontas, Illinois. 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 helicopter pilot’s miscommunication with the ground crewmember during reloading operations, which resulted in a takeoff with the filler hose attached to the helicopter and subsequent impact with a truck.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 2017 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Pocahontas, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II II, built 2006
- Registration
- N62FA · no longer on the register · serial 11176
- 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 the helicopter was positioned on top of a platform that was located on top of the agricultural chemical truck while he was waiting for the ground crew to reload the helicopter. During the reload, he misinterpreted the ground crew members hand and arm signal and initiated the takeoff. He quickly realized that the filler hose was still attached when the helicopter yawed right and simultaneously banked left. He attempted a right pedal turn to avoid tail rotor contact with the truck, and he tried to position the helicopter as far from the truck as possible. However, when the helicopter descended, the main rotor blades struck the truck, and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive system and the main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- Aircraft loading event during standing (engine(s) operating)
- Comm system malf/failure during standing (engine(s) operating) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Communication (personnel) › Accuracy of communication › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Ground vehicle › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,630 hours in all; 715 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 1,594 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 4, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,857.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 21, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 SER (piston); 1,913 hours total
- Operator: Jmx Helicopters LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Pocahantas IL at 9:15 pm
- Destination: Pocahantas IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 9:15 am from KALN, 24 miles away
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 2, 2017. 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 | Photo | 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.