Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N441ML
Location: Newark, OH
Accident Number: GAA18CA089
Date & Time: 12/13/2017, 1610 EST
Registration: N441ML
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Dynamic rollover
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Positioning
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was relocating the helicopter from the fueling station to an overnight parking area. He initially attempted to move the helicopter on wheels but was unsuccessful. He then started the helicopter, performed the startup checklist, and applied a "normal amount of collective," but the helicopter rolled to the right and impacted the ground.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tailboom.
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 16 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 160° at 5 knots.
In a followup conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the helicopter began rolling to the right immediately after lifting off and that he added power to increase the altitude and applied left cyclic to counteract the right rolling movement. He estimated that the accident sequence took only seconds.
The Federal Aviation Administration's Helicopter Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21A, contained a section titled, "Normal Takeoffs and Landings," which stated:
Dynamic rollover is possible even during normal takeoffs and landings on relatively level ground, if one wheel or skid is on the ground and thrust (lift) is approximately equal to the weight of the helicopter. If the takeoff or landing is not performed properly, a roll rate could develop around the wheel or skid that is on the ground. When taking off or landing, perform the maneuver smoothly and carefully adjust the cyclic so that no pitch or roll movement rates build up, especially the roll rate. If the bank angle starts to increase to an angle of approximately 5-8°, and full corrective cyclic does not reduce the angle, the collective should be reduced to diminish the unstable rolling condition. Excessive bank angles can also be caused by landing gear caught in a tie down strap, or a tie down strap still attached to one side of the helicopter. Lateral loading imbalance (usually outside published limits) is another contributing factor.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter during takeoff, which resulted in dynamic rollover.
Findings
Aircraft
Lateral/bank control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Factual Information
History of Flight
Takeoff
Dynamic rollover (Defining event)
Certificate: Private
Age: 62, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane; Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/27/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/16/2016
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1296 hours (Total, all aircraft), 31 hours (Total, this make and model), 1171 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 24 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
Registration: N441ML
Model/Series: R44 II
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 10465
Landing Gear Type: Skid;
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/30/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 199.2 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: IO-540-AE1A5
Registered Owner: PARATUS AIR INC
Rated Power: 245 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KVTA, 884 ft msl
Observation Time: 2254 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 95°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Temperature/Dew Point: -2°C / -12°C
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 6000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots, 160°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting:29.49 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: WISE, VA (LNP)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Newark, OH (VTA)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1420 EST
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: NEWARK-HEATH (VTA)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 883 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 40.023056, -82.463889 (est)
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