Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 near Stone Lake, WI — 2016-11-12

Final reportGAA17CA070
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Date
2016-11-12
Location
Stone Lake, WI, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44
Registration
N744JS
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control while in a hover and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with a tree.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, during a hover taxi for takeoff, about 3 ft above the ground, he thought that he saw a person at the corner of his driveway. He added that he stopped and that the helicopter drifted to the left. Subsequently, the main rotor blade impacted a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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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