Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON R44 near Camp Verde, AZ — 2021-08-28

Final reportWPR21LA341
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Date
2021-08-28
Location
Camp Verde, AZ, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON R44
Registration
N544SH
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight performance calculations which resulted in an aborted takeoff and collision with trees.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while taking off from a remote mountainous site, the helicopter encountered some turbulent air and the main rotor RPM decayed. He elected to abort the takeoff and land at a site about 20-30 ft from the original location. During the landing, the main rotor blades struck a tree. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to main rotor blades and main rotor hub assembly. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. He also reported that the accident could have been avoided by taking more time to calculate and determine the density altitude and out of ground effect performance of the helicopter at the time of the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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