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Location:
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Calhoun, Georgia
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Accident Number:
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ERA22LA188
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Date & Time:
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April 12, 2022, 17:05 Local
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Registration:
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N426DB
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Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land Injuries: 1 Minor, 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
According to the pilot, he repositioned the helicopter within the landing zone after landing to use its full length for the planned departure. As he applied takeoff power, the pilot inadvertently climbed the helicopter into wires above the main rotor blades. The pilot subsequently reduced power and attempted a run-on landing to an adjacent road, but the main rotor struck a building. The helicopter rolled on its side and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from wires during takeoff.
Findings
Personnel issues - (general) - Pilot
Aircraft - (general) - Not attained/maintained
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Factual Information
History of Flight
Takeoff Collision during takeoff/land (Defining event)
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Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial
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Age:
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69,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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|
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Airplane; Helicopter
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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October 1, 2021
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Occupational Pilot:
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No
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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|
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Flight Time:
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9000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 301 hours (Total, this make and model)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
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Registration:
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N426DB
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Model/Series:
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R44 II
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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2013
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Amateur Built:
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|
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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13514
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Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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4
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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September 23, 2021 100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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2500 lbs
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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Airframe Total Time:
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1295.3 Hrs as of last inspection
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Lycoming
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ELT:
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Engine Model/Series:
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IO540-AE1A5
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Registered Owner:
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Rated Power:
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245
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Operator:
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On file
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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None
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KRMG,639 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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14 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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16:53 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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236°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Scattered / 8500 ft AGL
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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7 knots /
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Wind Direction:
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220°
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.04 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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28°C / 10°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Calhoun, GA
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Calhoun, GA
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Minor
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger Injuries:
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3 None
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Ground Injuries:
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Minor, 3 None
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Latitude, Longitude:
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34.47634,-84.932392(est)
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Rayner, Brian
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Original Publish Date:
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April 20, 2023 Investigation Class:
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4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104936
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), established in 1967, is an independent federal agency mandated by Congress through the Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to investigate transportation accidents, determine the probable causes of the accidents, issue safety recommendations, study transportation safety issues, and evaluate the safety effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation. The NTSB makes public its actions and decisions through accident reports, safety studies, special investigation reports, safety recommendations, and statistical reviews.
The Independent Safety Board Act, as codified at 49 U.S.C. Section 1154(b), precludes the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an incident or accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report. A factual report that may be admissible under 49 U.S.C. § 1154(b) is available here.
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