ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 near Spofford, TX — 2017-02-19

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to hover-taxi out of the hangar and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the hangar.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the skid-equipped helicopter reported that, the night before the accident flight, he hover-taxied into a hangar because convective activity was approaching the airport and he did not have ground-handling equipment (wheels) to move the helicopter. The following morning, he attempted to hover-taxi out of the hangar for a positioning flight, but the main rotor blade struck the top of the hangar door when the helicopter was about three-quarters of the way out of the hangar. Subsequently, the helicopter spun and rolled over onto its left side. The main rotor and tailboom sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control in flight · Taxi-to runway
• Attention / Monitoring
• Decision Making / Judgment

Evidence available

• Photos
• 3 docket documents

Docket documents3

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command)other
• Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA)photos

Related mishaps

• Robinson R22

  2019-02-19 · Clearwater, FL

• Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II

  2012-05-27 · Peoria, IL