Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II near Gonzales, LA — 2021-08-21

Final reportCEN21LA378
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Date
2021-08-21
Location
Gonzales, LA, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Registration
N222VB
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadvertent collision with a tree while landing at night which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was approaching to land at night when the helicopter tail rotor struck a tree. He felt the helicopter “shake a little” and noticed it was “falling.” The pilot attempted to cushion the landing by increasing collective and the helicopter came to rest on both skids upright. The helicopter fuselage and tail rotor sustained damaged during the hard landing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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