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NTSB Final Report: Bradenton, FL

Location:

Bradenton, Florida

Accident Number:

ERA23LA228

Date & Time:

May 11, 2023, 09:27 Local

Registration:

N62HT

Aircraft:                                  ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II

Aircraft Damage:            Substantial

Defining Event:                      Abnormal runway contact                     

Injuries:                                                1 None

Flight Conducted Under:       Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot of the helicopter reported that while he was on approach to land, he attempted to slow his descent by pulling aft on the cyclic and increased the collective pitch. The low rotor rpm horn sounded as he was beginning to hover in ground effect, and he then began to fly forward slowly. At 20 knots, the low rotor rpm horn sounded again, and his altitude increased to 40 ft above ground level. The rotor speed did not recover, and the helicopter descended until it landed on an uneven berm. The helicopter then pitched forward, the main rotor blades impacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. The helicopter’s tail boom was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of 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 adequate rotor rpm during landing which resulted in a premature landing on uneven ground and a subsequent rollover.

Findings

Personnel issues - Aircraft control - Pilot

Aircraft - Main rotor blade system - Capability exceeded

Environmental issues - Sloped/uneven terrain - Effect on operation


Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing  Abnormal runway contact (Defining event)


Pilot Information

Certificate:

Private

Age:

32,Male

Airplane Rating(s):

Single-engine land

Seat Occupied:

Right

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

Helicopter

Restraint Used:

4-point

Instrument Rating(s):

None

Second Pilot Present:

No

Instructor Rating(s):

None

Toxicology Performed:

 

Medical Certification:

Class 2 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam:

February 6, 2023

Occupational Pilot:

No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

February 26, 2023

Flight Time:

78.1 hours (Total, all aircraft), 78.1 hours (Total, this make and model), 44.1 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 46.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7.9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY

Registration:

N62HT

Model/Series:

R44 II

Aircraft Category:

Helicopter

Year of Manufacture:

2014

Amateur Built:

 

Airworthiness Certificate:

Normal

Serial Number:

13709

Landing Gear Type:

Skid

Seats:

4

Date/Type of Last Inspection:

May 7, 2023 100 hour

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

2500 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

 

Engines:

1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time:

3933.51 Hrs at time of accident

Engine Manufacturer:

Lycoming

ELT:

Installed

Engine Model/Series:

IO-540-AE1A5

Registered Owner:

 

Rated Power:

245 Horsepower

Operator:

 

Operating Certificate(s) Held:

None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:

Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light:

Day

Observation Facility, Elevation:

SRQ,17 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site:

13 Nautical Miles

Observation Time:

09:53 Local

Direction from Accident Site:

253°

Lowest Cloud Condition:

Clear

Visibility

10 miles

Lowest Ceiling:

None

Visibility (RVR):

 

Wind Speed/Gusts:

9 knots /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:

None / None

Wind Direction:

120°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:

N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting:

30.04 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point:

28°C / 20°C

Precipitation and Obscuration:

No Obscuration; No Precipitation

 

Departure Point:

Sarasota, FL (SRQ)

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

None

Destination:

Bradenton, FL

Type of Clearance:

None

Departure Time:

09:10 Local

Type of Airspace:

Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:

1 None

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

 

Aircraft Fire:

None

Ground Injuries:

N/A

Aircraft Explosion:

None

Total Injuries:

1 None

Latitude, Longitude:

27.465023,-82.325029(est)

Administrative Information

Investigator In Charge (IIC):

Mccarter, Lawrence

Additional Participating Persons:

Christopher Oaks; FAA FSDO; Tampa, FL

 

Original Publish Date:

July 7, 2023                                                                               Investigation Class:

4

Note:

The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.

 

Investigation Docket:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=149067

 

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Created 145 days ago
by Admin

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