Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON R44 near Lebanon, MO — 2019-06-09

Final reportGAA19CA476
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Date
2019-06-09
Location
Lebanon, MO, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON R44
Registration
N724H
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of yaw control and failure to maintain a proper descent rate and his subsequent improper use of the collective instead of the antitorque pedals to correct the yaw, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during a vertical descent into a privately owned field and while the helicopter was about 20 ft about ground level, the helicopter yawed right. He then lowered the collective, and the helicopter continued to yaw right, descended, and landed hard. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the cabin assembly. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that he mistook the right yaw for a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and should have applied pedal corrections.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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