Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II near Devine, TX — 2015-10-05

Final reportGAA16CA006
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Date
2015-10-05
Location
Devine, TX, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Registration
N174CD
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the takeoff, which resulted in the helicopter striking power lines.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff from a field next to an office building, the helicopter came in contact with one or two power lines, which caught on the left skid, and pulled the helicopter to the left. The main rotor blades contacted two power lines, and cut both of them. The pilot attempted to maintain control of the helicopter but it rolled to the left and impacted the ground. He reported that "the wires hit were invisible to me at the time of departure." A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, the main rotor blade system, the tail boom, and the tail rotor blade system. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have walked the departure path to check for power lines before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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