Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 near New Orleans, LA — 2017-11-29

Final reportGAA18CA066
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Date
2017-11-29
Location
New Orleans, LA, USA
Airport
NEW
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44
Registration
N744WT
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to land the helicopter with both skids on the trailer platform, which resulted in a loss of control.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, while positioning the helicopter on a trailer for maintenance, the helicopter landed on the trailer with the left skid off the platform, and the tail rotor struck the ground. The pilot added that the helicopter climbed about 50 ft, and he reduced power. During the descent, the main rotor blade struck the tailboom, and the helicopter impacted the pavement. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, and main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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