Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II near Santa Ana, CA — 2017-07-27

Final reportWPR17LA167
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Date
2017-07-27
Location
Santa Ana, CA, USA
Airport
SNA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Registration
N7535G
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while maneuvering during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that during takeoff, the helicopter rolled to the right, and he was unable to arrest the roll with cyclic input. The right skid and main rotor blades struck the ground, and the helicopter spun 360° before it came to rest upright with the tail rotor assembly severed from the tailboom. Postaccident examination of the flight control system revealed flight control continuity with no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter at the time of the accident. Thus, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain helicopter control while maneuvering during takeoff.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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