Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II near Presidio, TX — 2014-02-24

Final reportCEN14LA149
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Date
2014-02-24
Location
Presidio, TX, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Registration
N360AH
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Hover

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm when transitioning the helicopter from a hover to forward flight, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was surveying ranch land and that the helicopter was hovering about 12 to 15 feet above the ground just before the accident. While transitioning to forward flight, the helicopter was unable to maintain sufficient power and altitude. The low rotor rpm horn sounded, and the pilot decreased the collective to try to "fly out of it," but the helicopter was too close to the ground. The helicopter subsequently lost tail rotor effectiveness and spun around once before impacting the ground and rolling over. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained altitude instead of transitioning to forward flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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