Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II near Ketchikan, AK — 2015-10-06

Final reportGAA16CA009
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Date
2015-10-06
Location
Ketchikan, AK, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Registration
N779DZ
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Ground

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the engine start sequence, which resulted in the helicopter sliding on a steel deck and impacting a crane. Contributing to the accident was the absence of traction material on the helicopter operations portion of the steel deck.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that during the engine start sequence on an offshore barge with a bare steel deck, the main rotor system clutch was engaging, and the throttle was applied to maintain 60 percent engine revolutions per minute. He reported that the skid and tundra/snow board equipped helicopter began a rapid right yaw, left pedal was applied simultaneously with throttle closure, but the helicopter rapidly yawed left resulting in the vertical stabilizer and tail rotor blade system impacting a crane stationed on the deck. The pilot then shut down the helicopter without further incident. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and the tail rotor blade system. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot disregarded using non-skid matting on the steel deck, impacting safety.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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