Sunday, July 21, 2019

Roll Over: Robinson R44 II, N124LA; accident occurred July 16, 2019 in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa

View of damage to main and tail rotor systems, empennage and fuselage. 


Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Moines, Iowa

Aviation Accident Factual 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/N124LA


Location: Council Bluff, IA
Accident Number: GAA19CA428
Date & Time: 07/16/2019, 1750 CDT
Registration: N124LA
Aircraft: Robinson R44
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Roll over
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural 

The helicopter pilot reported that, while lifting off from a landing deck on top of an industrial truck, the right rear skid hooked into an opening on the deck. The helicopter dynamically rolled right and impacted the ground.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main and tail rotor systems, fuselage, and empennage.

The helicopter pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 63, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/22/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/01/2019
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 26000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1700 hours (Total, this make and model), 25500 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 250 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 125 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Robinson
Registration: N124LA
Model/Series: R44 II
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built:No 
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 12199
Landing Gear Type: Skid;
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/01/2019, 100 Hour
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: Rotors Llc
Rated Power: 245 hp
Operator: Rotors Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light:Day 
Observation Facility, Elevation: KCBF, 1253 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2235 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 337°
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: 20°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.86 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Council Bluff, IA
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Council Bluff, IA
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1800 CDT
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: 41.234444, -95.746389 (est)






COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (WOWT) -- A helicopter used for commercial crop-dusting crashed Tuesday evening a rural area just south of the Council Bluffs Airport, authorities said.

A crop-dusting helicopter crashed Tuesday evening, July 16, 2019, in a rural area near the Council Bluffs Airport, Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Denker said.
Council Bluffs Police officers and Pott County Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene near 230th Street and Highway 92.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker said the crash happened when the helicopter tried to land on the back of a truck, while trying to refill with chemicals.

Crash investigators are trying to figure out what caused the helicopter to end up on its side, Danker said.

He said the pilot, described as a man in his 50s who isn't a resident of the area, was transported to the hospital in Council Bluffs with minor injuries.

Danker said his office is working with federal authorities on the crash investigation and are working to move the helicopter off the road.

Story and video ➤  https://www.wowt.com

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