Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 ALPHA near Palmer, AK — 2012-04-21

Final reportANC12CA032
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Date
2012-04-21
Location
Palmer, AK, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 ALPHA
Registration
N121MR
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a tailrotor strike.

NTSB narrative

The pilot flew to a practice area and landed the helicopter on what the pilot thought was firm snow. As he landed, the helicopter suddenly broke through the surface and its tailrotor struck the snow. The pilot repositioned the helicopter and the tailrotor gearbox chip detector light illuminated. An examination showed that the tailrotor driveshaft had sheared.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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