Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 near Mokuleia, HI — 2014-09-22

Final reportWPR14CA385
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Date
2014-09-22
Location
Mokuleia, HI, USA
Airport
PHDH
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
Registration
N8375E
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

When the helicopter was inbound to the destination airport, one of the two pilots radioed for the wind information, and was provided a wind direction of 310 degrees at a speed of 10 knots by the Unicom operator. The pilot flew a left traffic pattern for runway 8, which according to the flying pilot, was a "normal approach for winds from the northeast." The pilot planned to land on the compass rose painted just north of the threshold of runway 8. The flight and approach were normal through the turn to the base leg. On short final or in the flare, the helicopter began descending too quickly, and the pilots were unable to arrest the descent before the helicopter struck the ground. The helicopter remained upright; the pilots shut down the helicopter and de-boarded the passengers. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail, tail rotor, tail boom, and fuselage. Although both pilots stated that the helicopter experienced a "settling with power" event, neither pilot could recall the reported winds. The flying pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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