Pilot Debrief

Robinson R44 near La Ward, TX — 2019-06-21

Final reportCEN19TA178
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Date
2019-06-21
Location
La Ward, TX, USA
Aircraft
Robinson R44
Registration
N445AP
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during a course reversal, which resulted in impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting helicopter aerial applications to a field and had just reversed course when he felt the helicopter start to descend. The pilot added power, "rolled the throttle all the way on," and increased collective and the descent continued. The pilot flared the helicopter and before it impacted the ground, the helicopter rolled and came to rest in a field, resulting in substantial damage. It is likely that the pilot lost control of the helicopter during the turn, resulting in the unexpected descent. Because the helicopter was at low altitude, the pilot did not have time to arrest the descent before impacting the ground. Postaccident examination found no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the aerial application before losing control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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