Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA near Gardnerville, NV — 2014-08-27

Final reportWPR14LA356
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Date
2014-08-27
Location
Gardnerville, NV, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Registration
N4187W
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to monitor the environment and to maintain clearance from wires during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, shortly after the helicopter took off from a riverbank, he felt a tug on the airframe, followed by a "big bang." The pilot was unable to maintain control of the helicopter as it began rotating to the right. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground, rolled over, and came to rest upright. A postaccident examination of the accident site revealed that the helicopter had struck four small cables that had been attached to a pulley system that was strung across the river. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided wires during initial climb.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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