Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 near Fort Pierce, FL — 2017-12-05

Final reportGAA18CA072
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Date
2017-12-05
Location
Fort Pierce, FL, USA
Airport
FPR
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
Registration
N99RW
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a tail strike and hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, while hovering to land on a helipad, the tail struck the ground. He added that the helicopter landed hard and rolled over onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor blades, and tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 130° at 10 knots.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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