Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II near Cedar City, UT — 2016-09-14

Final reportGAA16CA488
Sign in to save
Date
2016-09-14
Location
Cedar City, UT, USA
Airport
CDC
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Registration
N46HF
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action while providing hover instruction in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in dynamic roll-over.

NTSB narrative

According to the flight instructor in the skid-equipped helicopter, he was teaching the student to hover over an asphalt helipad. He reported that he transferred the flight controls to the student and directed the student to maintain a stable hover. The nose pitched down, and a right lateral drift occurred. The flight instructor immediately grabbed the flight controls, but the front of the right skid contacted the ground. The main rotor blades then struck the ground, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom, fuselage, and the main rotor blades. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter that would have prevented normal operation. The meteorological aerodrome report at the airport where the accident occurred reported that the wind was 200° at 9 knots, gusting to 18 knots.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

Related mishaps