NTSB Final Report: Kenosha, WI
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Location:
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Kenosha, Wisconsin
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Accident Number:
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CEN24LA097
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Date & Time:
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January 21, 2024, 12:30 Local
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Registration:
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N8350M
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Aircraft:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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BETA
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Defining Event:
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Abrupt maneuver
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Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 91: General aviation - Personal
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Analysis
The pilot reported that he was not satisfied with the helicopter’s alignment on the mobile helipad during landing and elected to complete a second attempt. During the second landing, he lost control of the helicopter as it settled onto the helipad. The helicopter ascended, rolled to the right, and then impacted the ground on its skids which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor blades, and tailrotor blades. There were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 control of the helicopter while landing.
Findings
Aircraft Pitch control - Incorrect use/operation
Aircraft Yaw control - Incorrect use/operation
Personnel issues Incorrect action selection - Pilot
Environmental issues Positioning/available space - Contributed to outcome
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-aborted after Abrupt maneuver (Defining event)
touchdown
Landing Landing area undershoot
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial
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Age:
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51,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-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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3-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Airplane
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Airplane single-engine; Instrument
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Toxicology Performed:
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airplane
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2 With waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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June 17, 2022
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Occupational Pilot:
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No
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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May 6, 2023
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Flight Time:
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(Estimated) 1448 hours (Total, all aircraft), 162 hours (Total, this make and model), 1396 hours
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(Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 30 days, all
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aircraft)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER
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Registration:
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N8350M
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Model/Series:
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R22 BETA
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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1997
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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2665
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Landing Gear Type:
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None; Skid
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Seats:
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2
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Date/Type of Last
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September 26, 2023 Annual
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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1370 lbs
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Inspection:
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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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5998.28 Hrs as of last
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Lycoming
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inspection
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ELT:
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Installed, not activated
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Engine Model/Series:
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O-360-J2A
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Registered Owner:
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VORTEX LEASING LLC
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Rated Power:
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131 Horsepower
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Operator:
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VORTEX LEASING LLC
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Operating Certificate(s)
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Rotorcraft external load
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Held:
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(133), On-demand air taxi
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(135)
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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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KENW,733 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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0 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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12:53 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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252°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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12 knots / 22 knots
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Turbulence Type
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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Wind Direction:
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220°
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Turbulence Severity
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.47 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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-7°C / -16°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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Janesville, WI (WI85)
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Kenosha, WI
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Type of Clearance:
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VFR
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Departure Time:
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11:45 Local
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Type of Airspace:
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Class D
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Airport Information
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Airport:
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Kenosha Regional Airport ENW
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Runway Surface Type:
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Airport Elevation:
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742 ft msl
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Runway Surface Condition:
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Snow
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Runway Used:
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IFR Approach:
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Unknown
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Runway Length/Width:
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VFR Approach/Landing:
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Full stop;Straight-in
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Injuries:
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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 Serious
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Latitude,
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42.597337,-87.928022(est)
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Longitude:
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Galbraith, Damian
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Additional Participating
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Michael Veselka; FAA; Milwaukee, WI
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Persons:
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Michael Brockel; FAA; Milwaukee, WI
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Original Publish Date:
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October 22, 2024
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Last Revision Date:
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Investigation Class:
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Class 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=193692
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation— railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.
The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation, “accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition, statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.
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