NTSB Factual Report

On June 9, 2018, at 1229 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N529DW, collided with cables during an initial climb after taking off from a field in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to and operated by MF Helicopters LLC as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 aerial photography flight. Visual meteorological conditions existed near the accident site at the time of the accident, and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight. The helicopter was en route to Wittman Field (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The helicopter was engaged in aerial photography operations for the Four Horseman Poker Run on Lake Winnebago. The helicopter was operating from a field next to the Dockside Tavern on the Fox River, about ½ mile southeast of the accident site. The pilot and a photographer were airborne for about 1 hour 30 minutes flying to the west at low altitudes over a series of lakes and rivers while photographing the boats. The pilot returned to the departure field and the photographer exited the helicopter. The pilot then took off to the south with the intent of flying to OSH to refuel. At some point the pilot turned and began flying to the northwest along the river. Shortly after the turn, the helicopter contacted a static line and a fiber optic line which were the top two lines of a five-line array that crossed over the Fox River. The helicopter subsequently impacted the river and sank.