NTSB Identification: WPR13FA054
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, November 25, 2012 in Corona, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/07/2014
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II, registration: N4204A
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot had positioned the helicopter facing toward a fuel island and had added about 40 gallons of fuel. A review of a security video showed that the helicopter cabin was partially under a circular metal canopy that covered the island. After fueling and while still under the canopy, the helicopter lifted off, and the pilot immediately made a right turn. After turning nearly 180 degrees, the helicopter pitched forward, and the tail and main rotor blades rose and contacted the metal canopy. The helicopter then began to flail while turning and subsequently came to rest after turning 180 degrees back to its original direction. Several seconds later, a fire and explosion occurred. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
An review of the autopsy report revealed that the pilot’s death was caused by thermal-related injuries and that he most likely would have survived the accident if no fire had occurred. The helicopter manufacturer issued several service bulletins advising owners to retrofit R44 all-aluminum fuel tanks with bladder-type tanks to improve the R44 fuel system’s resistance to a postaccident fuel leak and the potential for a subsequent fire. The helicopter had not been retrofitted with these modifications. The NTSB has issued Safety Recommendation A-14-1 to the Federal Aviation Administration to require the retrofit.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the helicopter’s main rotor blades and the metal canopy of a fuel island.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On November 25, 2012, at 2308 Pacific standard time, a Robinson R44 II, N4204A, collided with a fueling structure at Corona Municipal Airport, Corona, California. The pilot/owner was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage from impact forces and post-crash fire. The cross-country personal flight was departing Corona for Fullerton, California. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
A friend stated that he picked the pilot up at French Valley Airport in Temecula, California, about 1630, and they had attended an event in Temecula. He dropped the pilot back off at the airport about 2200.
Witnesses at Corona reported to first responders that they heard the helicopter, and then a bang followed by an explosion. They went outside and observed the helicopter on fire.
Fueling records indicated that the pilot added 40.6 gallons of 100LL about 15 minutes before the accident.
A review of a security video showed that the helicopter was facing towards a fuel island, and the cabin was partially under a circular metal canopy that covered the island. The helicopter lifted off, and made an immediate pedal turn nose right. Nearing 180 degrees of turn, the helicopter pitched forward; the tail and main rotor blades came up, and contacted the metal canopy. The helicopter then began to flail while turning, and came to rest, after it turned 180 degrees right, back in the original direction. Several seconds later, a fire began that was followed a few seconds later by an explosion.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the 61-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, rotorcraft-helicopter, and instrument airplane. The pilot held a certified flight instructor (CFI) certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land.
The pilot possessed a third-class medical certificate issued on October 23, 2012; it had no limitations or waivers.
No personal flight records were located for the pilot. The NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) obtained the aeronautical experience listed in this report from a review of FAA records on file in the Airman and Medical Records Center located in Oklahoma City. The pilot reported on his medical application that he had a total time of 1,500 hours with 50 hours logged in the previous 6 months.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The helicopter was a Robinson R44-II, serial number 12634. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that it had a total airframe time of 133.4 hours at the last annual inspection on February 2, 2012.
The engine was a Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5, serial number L33351-48E. Total time recorded on the engine at the last annual inspection was 133.4 hours.
Examination of the maintenance records revealed no unresolved maintenance discrepancies against the helicopter prior to departure.
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for Corona (KAJO, elevation 533 feet) was issued at 2256 PDT. It stated: wind calm; visibility 2 1/2 miles mist; sky 300 feet overcast; temperature 12/54 degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit; altimeter 29.98 inches of mercury.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Investigators examined the wreckage at the accident scene on November 26, 2012. Detailed site examination notes are in the public docket.
The helicopter came to rest partially under the metal canopy of the fuel island, which had a gash in it with torn metal sheets hanging down. The height of the top of the mast of the R44 was 129 inches (10.75 feet); the rotor radius was 198 inches (16.5 feet). The canopy was 14 feet above the ground.
The helicopter sustained severe fire damage from the mid tail boom forward. Fire consumed most of the cabin area.
The main rotor blades sustained impact and thermal damage. One main rotor blade spar separated; investigators located it in a hangar several hundred feet from the main wreckage.
The main rotor gearbox separated from the airframe with deformation and separation in the frame tubes. Fracture surfaces were jagged and angular.
The tail rotor driveshaft had disconnected aft of the intermediate flex plate, and exhibited damage that was associated with severe thermal damage to the tail cone.
The tail rotor blades sustained minor impact damage. There was rotational scoring at the tip of both tail rotor blades. There was a semi-circular ground scar with red paint transfer that arched counter-clockwise toward the tail section.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The Riverside County Coroner completed an autopsy. They ruled that diffuse thermal injury and inhalation of products of combustion were the causes of death.
The FAA Forensic Toxicology Research Team, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing of specimens of the pilot.
Analysis of the specimens contained no findings for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and tested drugs.
TESTS AND RESEARCH
Investigators from the NTSB, FAA, Robinson Helicopter Company, and Lycoming examined the wreckage at Aircraft Recovery Service, Littlerock, California, on November 27, 2012. Detailed examination notes are in the public docket.
Airframe
Investigators examined the elements of the surviving warning light bulbs on the annunciator panel. All of the surviving elements were tight except for the "clutch" light, which was stretched.
The main rotor gearbox chip detector was clean, and the gearbox rotated freely by hand.
Rotational scuff marks were on the upper sheave; there was rotational scoring on the cooling fan wheel.
The sprag clutch operated properly.
Flight controls
All rod ends were accounted for, and all separations appeared to be thermal damage; investigators noted no indication of preimpact failure of the flight control system.
Fuel System
The main tank remained attached to the fuselage with the upper half consumed by fire.
The auxiliary fuel tank separated from the fuselage, and was partially consumed by fire.
Fire consumed the gascolator housing; the gascolator cup and screen were recovered, and both were charred.
The fuel valve was in the "ON" position. Fire partially consumed the manual and auxiliary fuel pumps.
Engine
A borescope inspection revealed no mechanical deformation to the valves, cylinder walls, or internal cylinder head.
Investigators manually rotated the crankshaft with the cooling fan, and obtained thumb compression on all cylinders in firing order.
Investigators identified no mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine during the wreckage examination.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Fuel Tanks
Robinson Helicopters are equipped with either one or two metal all-aluminum main and auxiliary fuel tanks, which are installed above the engine firewall and on each side of the main rotor gearbox. In numerous instances, the fuel tanks have been breached during accidents, leaked fuel, and a post-crash fire occurred. In a number of cases, occupants have survived the initial accident, only to sustain serious or fatal injuries in the post-crash fire.
On December 20, 2010, RHC issued R44 Service Bulletin SB-78 recommending the installation of fuel bladders. Robinson R44 SB-67 and SB-68 address other fuel system crashworthiness components (fuel hose supports and flexible fuel lines) designed to minimize the possibility of a post-crash fire in the R44 series. Although not required, the design changes detailed in this service bulletin demonstrated compliance to a portion of the fuel system crashworthiness regulations in Title 14 CFR Part 27.952.
On September 28, 2012, RHC issued revision B to SB78. The revision directed an accelerated compliance date of April 30, 2013.
All R44 helicopters overhauled at the factory as of July 21, 2009, had the bladder kit installed automatically.
All new R44 Raven I models produced beginning with serial number 2066 (manufactured in October 2009) were equipped with the bladder tanks.
All new R44 Raven II models produced beginning with serial number 12891 (manufactured in August 2009) were equipped with the bladder tanks.
Due to several similar low-energy accidents with fatalities resulting from a post-crash fire, the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued airworthiness directive AD/R44/23 on April 29, 2013, requiring installation of the bladders on all R44 helicopters by April 30, 2013.
NTSB Identification: WPR13FA054
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, November 25, 2012 in Corona, CA
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II, registration: N4204A
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On November 25, 2012, at 2308 Pacific standard time, a Robinson R44 II, N4204A, collided with a structure at Corona Municipal Airport, Corona, California. The pilot/owner was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage from impact forces and post-crash fire. The cross-country personal flight was departing Corona for an undetermined destination. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
Witnesses reported hearing the helicopter engine running, and then a bang followed by an explosion. They went outside and observed the helicopter on fire.
Fueling records indicated that the pilot added 40.6 gallons of 100 LL aviation fuel about 15 minutes before the accident. A review of a security video showed that the helicopter was facing toward the fuel station. It lifted off, and made a 180-degree turn to the right. Near the completion of the turn, the helicopter tilted forward with the tail coming up. Then there was a flash and explosion. The helicopter came to rest turned 180 degrees back to the original direction.
The Riverside County Coroner’s office has just released the name of the man killed when his helicopter crashed shortly after 11 p.m. on Sunday Nov. 25, in Corona.
James Belcher, 61, of Long Beach died when the helicopter he was piloting crashed near the fueling station at the Corona Airport.
The four-seat Robinson R-44 struck the canopy at the fueling station area of the airport and exploded, according to a preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration.
FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said a National Transportation Safety Board investigator at the crash scene said the helicopter’s rotor blades struck the canopy that sits over the fuel pumps.
“However, we don’t know the sequence of events or circumstances behind the accident,” Gregor told City News Service.
The chopper was registered to the law offices of James Belcher in Las Vegas, according to FAA registration records.
Photo: An investigator takes photographs of the wreckage of a Robinson R-44 at Corona Municipal Airport.
A
helicopter that burst into flames during a refueling stop in Corona hit
the structure above the fuel pumps, a federal official said Monday.
The
pilot, whose name was not released, was killed in Sunday's incident at
Corona Municipal Airport. The 11 a.m. explosion sent shrapnel flying,
penetrating some airport hangars.
Although it was unclear if the pilot was refueling at the time, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said Monday the helicopter's rotor blades hit the structure above the fuel pumps.
"What we know at this point is that the rotor blades struck the canopy above the refueling pumps," he said.
Authorities said they did not believe anyone else was injured. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA were continuing to investigate.
Although it was unclear if the pilot was refueling at the time, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said Monday the helicopter's rotor blades hit the structure above the fuel pumps.
"What we know at this point is that the rotor blades struck the canopy above the refueling pumps," he said.
Authorities said they did not believe anyone else was injured. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA were continuing to investigate.
Investigators are trying to determine what caused a deadly explosion
while a helicopter refueled at a Southern California airport.
The Sunday night explosion at Corona Municipal Airport hurled shrapnel that punctured the side of a hangar.
KTLA reports the helicopter landed at the Riverside County airport and was refueling when the aircraft exploded.
There are no other details.
A coroner's office dispatcher says at 4:30 a.m. that its
investigators are still at the airport and there is no information on
the person killed.
A Corona police dispatcher confirms there was an explosion at 11:08
p.m. Sunday and one person was killed, but there are no other details.
Callers were referred to a National Transportation Safety Board phone number that no one answered Sunday night.
CORONA, Calif. (KABC) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a deadly helicopter crash in the Inland Empire.
FAA officials have confirmed one person has died after a four-seat Robinson R-44 helicopter plunged to the ground and caught fire near the fuel pumps at the Corona Municipal Airport around 11 p.m. Sunday.
Authorities have not released the name of the man killed in the crash but officials have confirmed he was a pilot and the only person on board.
According to the Corona Municipal Airport's website, the airport operates from dawn to dusk and is strictly a recreational airport with no commercials flights.
There was also visible damage to a hangar, although officials have not confirmed if the damage is related to the crash.
Investigators from the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board were at the scene Monday inspecting remnants left from the fiery crash.
Authorities have not released the name of the man killed in the crash but officials have confirmed he was a pilot and the only person on board.
According to the Corona Municipal Airport's website, the airport operates from dawn to dusk and is strictly a recreational airport with no commercials flights.
There was also visible damage to a hangar, although officials have not confirmed if the damage is related to the crash.
Investigators from the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board were at the scene Monday inspecting remnants left from the fiery crash.
CORONA, Calif. (KTLA)
-- Federal investigators are working to determine what caused a deadly
helicopter explosion in Corona late Sunday.
It happened around 11 p.m. as the Robinson R-44 helicopter was stopping to refuel at the Corona Municipal Airport.
It wasn't immediately clear if the chopper had been in distress prior to landing.
It wasn't immediately clear if the chopper had been in distress prior to landing.
The pilot, the only person on board, was killed in the blast. The victim has not been identified.
The explosion sent shrapnel from the chopper flying into various areas, even penetrating some hangars.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
The explosion sent shrapnel from the chopper flying into various areas, even penetrating some hangars.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
