Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 near Parkston, SD — 2015-10-05

Final reportCEN16LA006
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Date
2015-10-05
Location
Parkston, SD, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
Registration
N442RP
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to take off from a confined area and his failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during the takeoff, which resulted in collision with obstacles.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot landed the helicopter adjacent to a building and intended to shut down the engine to install the spray system, which was located on a trailer parked next to the helicopter; however, he was then asked to give a ride to 3 company employees. As the helicopter lifted off with the passengers onboard, the pilot reported that a tailwind pushed the helicopter forward and into the trailer and the adjacent building, and that he "did not have time to recover." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation and stated that a "less confined" takeoff location "would have been preferred." Given the confined location of the takeoff, it is likely that the pilot did not have adequate space to compensate for the tailwind condition experienced during the takeoff, which resulted in collision with obstacles.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to wait for conditions to stabilize before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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