Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Analysis
The pilot reported that the helicopter was positioned on top of a platform that was located on top of the agricultural chemical truck while he was waiting for the ground crew to reload the helicopter. During the reload, he misinterpreted the ground crew members hand and arm signal and initiated the takeoff. He quickly realized that the filler hose was still attached when the helicopter yawed right and simultaneously banked left.
He attempted a right pedal turn to avoid tail rotor contact with the truck, and he tried to position the helicopter as far from the truck as possible. However, when the helicopter descended, the main rotor blades struck the truck, and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive system and the main rotor system.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The helicopter pilot's miscommunication with the ground crewmember during reloading operations, which resulted in a takeoff with the filler hose attached to the helicopter and subsequent impact with a truck.
Findings
Personnel issues
Accuracy of communication - Pilot (Cause)
Incorrect action selection - Pilot (Cause)
Environmental issues
Ground vehicle - Effect on operation (Cause)
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Springfield, Illinois
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
JMX Helicopters LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N62FA
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA398
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Friday, July 07, 2017 in Pocahontas, IL
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II, registration: N62FA
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The helicopter pilot reported that the helicopter was positioned on top of a platform that was located on top of the agricultural chemical truck. And he was waiting for the ground crew to reload the helicopter.
During the reload, he misinterpreted the ground crew members hand and arm signal, and initiated the takeoff. He quickly realized that the filler hose was still attached when the helicopter yawed right and simultaneously banked left.
He attempted a right pedal turn to avoid tail rotor contact with the truck, and he tried to position the helicopter as far from the truck as possible. However, when the helicopter descended, the main rotor blades struck the truck and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive system, and the main rotor system.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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