NTSB Report Robinson R22 Helicopter Crash Texas
March 31, 2008
NTSB Report Robinson R22 Helicopter Crash Texas
NTSB Report # DFW08CA064.
Houston Texas Helicopter Crash
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, February 08, 2008 in Houston, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 3/31/2008
Aircraft: Robinson R22 Beta, registration: N2364B
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.The certified flight instructor and the student pilot flew to a practice area to work on hovering techniques. Before the flight instructor turned over the controls to the student, he discussed with the student how to make a positive transfer of the controls and also the importance of not having a tight grip on the controls. The student took control of the helicopter and practiced hovering for approximately 10 minutes, when the flight instructor felt the helicopter begin to settle. Before the flight instructor could react, the student pilot “quickly” pulled the collective full up, which overrode the throttle and the main rotor began to lose rpm. The instructor immediately made an attempt to lower the collective and increase engine rpm, but the left skid contacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled over on to its left side. The helicopter sustained damage to the main rotor blades and the firewall.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The student pilot’s improper use of the collective and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
March 21, 2008
NTSB Report Hughes 269 Helicopter Crash in Ohio
NTSB Identification: CHI08CA097.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 21, 2008 in Franklin Furnac, OH
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/30/2008
Aircraft: Hughes 269A, registration: N9333V
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.The helicopter sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. The helicopter was recently purchased by the left seat pilot, who did not hold a rotorcraft rating, and was being piloted by the right sear pilot at the time of the accident. The right seat pilot stated that he performed an autorotation on a hilltop, which was “sparsely populated” by 7-1/2 to 8 foot high trees. He also stated that the hilltop was the only available landing area, which was surrounded by “hostile” terrain. During the forced landing, the tail boom sustained damage on impact with trees. Examination of the helicopter revealed no usable fuel aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The fuel exhaustion during cruise flight and the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot-in-command. A contributing factor was the trees.
March 17, 2008
NTSB Report Robinson Helicopter Crash New York
NTSB Identification: NYC08CA140.
Robinson Helicopter Crash14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, March 17, 2008 in Montgomery, NY
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/30/2008
Aircraft: Robinson R44, registration: N3027Y
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.According to the student pilot, he conducted a training flight with a flight instructor, in the R44 helicopter, and then prepared for a solo flight in anticipation of his upcoming private pilot check ride. During liftoff, he began to correct for an anticipated “tail low” condition due to full fuel and only one person on board, by using “light” forward cyclic. The helicopter drifted forward toward fuel pumps and a light post, and the pilot “over controlled” the helicopter by moving the cyclic aft. The pilot stated that he reacted “a little late,” and drifted too close to the post. The main rotor struck the post, the fuselage spun, and the tail of the helicopter impacted the ground, before the helicopter came to rest on its skids.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s loss of control during takeoff.
March 12, 2008
NTSB Report Aerial Agricultural Spray Copter Crash
NTSB Report: SEA08CA091.
14 CFR Part 137: Aerial Agricultural Helicopter Crash
Accident occurred Tuesday, March 11, 2008 in Oxnard, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/30/2008
Aircraft: Bell 206B, registration: N7028J
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.The pilot stated that he was performing an aerial application on a celery crop with the skids about 24-inches above the tops of the crop. While in straight and level flight, the landing skids contacted the crop and the helicopter pitched forward. The front of the skids dug into terrain and the helicopter tumbled before it came to rest on its side. Examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and the tail boom was separated. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the engine or flight control system.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with terrain during an aerial application.
March 4, 2008
NTSB Report Bell 206L Helicopter Crash in Alaska
NTSB Report: ANC08LA040.
Alaska Bell 206 Helicopter Crash14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, March 04, 2008 in Nikolai, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/30/2008
Aircraft: Bell 206L, registration: N404EH
Injuries: 2 Minor.The commercial pilot was maneuvering the helicopter while his passenger filmed a dogsled race. The pilot reported that he was flying along slowly, and a gust of wind caused a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. He said the helicopter started to turn to the right, and he reduced collective pitch and followed the turn to regain control. During the maneuver he said he was losing altitude and approaching terrain. He said a second gust caused a further loss of tail rotor effectiveness, and as the helicopter rotated the tail rotor struck a tree, and the helicopter impacted the ground. He said there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the helicopter prior to the accident. The helicopter was not examined by the NTSB.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and an inadvertent loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering. A factor contributing to the accident was wind gusts.
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