Saturday, February 02, 2019

Low Altitude Operation / Event: Robinson R44 Raven II, N4246Z, accident occurred January 03, 2019 in Grace, Caribou County, Idaho and Accident occurred August 24, 2014 in Pahrump, Nye County, Nevada

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


https://registry.faa.gov/N4246Z

Location: Grace, ID
Accident Number: GAA19CA110
Date & Time: 01/03/2019, 1000 MST
Registration: N4246Z
Aircraft: Robinson R44
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The helicopter pilot reported that, shortly after liftoff to the north from his property, he saw coyote tracks and "wanted to inspect." To better observe the coyote, he maneuvered at a low altitude, which led him to cross over a power line. After crossing the power line for a third time, he spotted the coyote, turned left, diverted his attention from the power line, continued to turn left, and the main rotor blades struck the power line. He maintained control of the helicopter and landed without further incident.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades.

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. 

Findings

Personnel issues
Task monitoring/vigilance - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Wire - Effect on equipment

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering-low-alt flying
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Maneuvering
Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 57, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/05/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/05/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1411 hours (Total, all aircraft), 143 hours (Total, this make and model), 1411 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Robinson
Registration: N4246Z
Model/Series: R44 II
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 12697
Landing Gear Type: Skid;
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-540-AE1A5
Registered Owner: Hawk Aero Llc
Rated Power:
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: KU78, 5839 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1715 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 25°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 350°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.31 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -18°C / -21°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Grace, ID
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Grace, ID
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0930 MST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  42.461944, -111.702222 (est)

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Las Vegas, Nevada
Robinson Helicopter Company; Torrance, California 

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


Location: Pahrump, NV
Accident Number: WPR14LA353
Date & Time: 08/24/2014, 0650 PDT
Registration: N4246Z
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The commercial pilot reported that, during a practice autorotation, a total loss of engine power occurred about 3,500 ft above ground level. The pilot made several unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, and he subsequently performed an autorotation emergency landing. During the landing, the helicopter slid forward about 20 ft, the skids dug into the dry lakebed, and the helicopter then nosed over. Subsequently, the main rotor blades impacted the ground, and the helicopter came to rest on its side.

A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was test run at various power settings with no anomalies noted.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

A total loss of engine power during a practice autorotation for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Findings

Environmental issues

Soft surface - Contributed to outcome

Not determined

Not determined - Unknown/Not determined (Cause)

Factual Information 

On August 24, 2014, about 0650 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company, R-44 II, N4246Z, sustained substantial damage while practicing an emergency autorotation, about 12 miles south of Pahrump, Nevada. The helicopter was registered to CSC Trust Company of Delaware Trustee and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that departed North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), Las Vegas, Nevada, about 0605.

The pilot reported a total loss of engine power at about 3,500 feet, above ground level, while rolling the throttle back for a practice autorotation. He stated the throttle was rolled back smoothly and only enough required for a small tachometer needle separation. Subsequently, the pilot made several unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine. Unable to restart the engine, the pilot performed an autorotation emergency landing. The pilot further reported that during landing, the helicopter slid forward about 20 feet; at that point, the skids dug into the dry lake bed and the helicopter nosed over. Subsequently, the main rotor blades impacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side.

Examination of the helicopter wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the main rotor blades and tail boom were substantially damaged. Additionally, fuel was observed leaking from both tanks at the site. According to the pilot, the fuel tank quantities were about 7/8's full just prior to the accident. The helicopter was recovered to a secure storage facility for further examination.

Further examination of the helicopter by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge and a Robinson Helicopter investigator revealed no evidence of any internal damage to the fuel injected engine or its accessories was observed. The oil dipstick reading indicated a normal quantity. Continuity with all the engine controls was established. The lower spark plugs were removed and examined and all sparkplug electrodes exhibited normal wear signatures when compared to the Champion Check-A-Plug comparison chart. The crankshaft was rotated by hand and compression was obtained on all the cylinders. It was determined that an engine run could be safety accomplished.

The engine was subsequently test run, using an external battery source for electrical power, and functioned normally at various power setting. The magnetos were switched from left to right and the corresponding RPM drop was observed during the run. Fuel from the helicopter was used to ensure system continuity. The main fuel tank quantity indicated about 3/8's full and the auxiliary tank about 1/4 full. No engine anomalies were observed during the engine run.

The helicopter's main gear box and drive system were examined and no anomalies were noted. Flight control continuity was established with the cyclic and collective. Tail rotor continuity was established in each direction from the separation point.

A review of the helicopter's maintenance records revealed that the engine and airframe underwent their most recent annual inspection on December 04, 2013, at an airframe and engine total time of 444.3 hours.

A Global Positioning System device was located in the wreckage and sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Division for examination and readout. The device did not contain any specific information relevant to the accident. 

History of Flight

Autorotation

Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)

Landing-landing roll
Nose over/nose down

Pilot Information


Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 55, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter; Instrument Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/18/2014
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/06/2014
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 2296 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1790 hours (Total, this make and model), 2247 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 111 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 32 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information


Aircraft Make: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
Registration: N4246Z
Model/Series: R44 II II
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 12697
Landing Gear Type: Skid;
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/04/2013, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 444.3 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-540-AE1A5
Registered Owner: CSC TRUST COMPANY OF DELAWARE TRUSTEE
Rated Power: 360 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: DRA, 3314 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 45 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0552 PDT
Direction from Accident Site: 355°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.91 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 20°C / 3°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: LAS VEGAS, NV (VGT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: LAS VEGAS, NV (VGT)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0605 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

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:  36.218056, -116.175278 (est)

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