Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON R44 near Kailua/Kona, HI — 2016-08-26

Final reportWPR16LA168
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Date
2016-08-26
Location
Kailua/Kona, HI, USA
Airport
KOA
Aircraft
ROBINSON R44
Registration
N74805
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

An on-ground upset for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

During aninstructional flight in the helicopter, the pilot under instruction set up for anapproach and landing to a flat and smooth gravel road. Once the skids were on the ground, the pilot under instruction lowered the collective toward the FULL DOWN position. The helicopter then began to rock in a fore and aft motion. The flight instructor took the controls as the intensity of the rocking increased; the helicopter then ascended in uncontrollable flight. The flight instructor subsequently landed the helicopter on the gravel road; it came to rest upright about 20 to 30 ft and at a little more than a 45° angle from the initial touchdown point. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the helicopterrevealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the reason for the reported on-ground upset could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
PUI should have maintained control after touchdown instead of lowering the collective.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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