Wednesday, April 08, 2020

Robinson R44 II, N725GT: Accident occurred April 06, 2020 at at Portland-Hillsboro Airport (KHIO), Portland, Oregon

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. 

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Hillsboro, Oregon 
Robinson Helicopter Company; Torrance, California
Aero Air LLC


Location: Hillsboro, OR
Accident Number: WPR20LA119
Date & Time: 04/06/2020, 1410 PDT
Registration: N725GT
Aircraft: Robinson R44
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On April 6, 2020, about 1410 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, N725GT, was substantially damaged following a forced landing at Portland-Hillsboro Airport (HIO), Portland, Oregon. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the Horizons Unlimited Air Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight destined for Warren, Oregon.

The pilot reported that, during takeoff, about 30 to 40 ft above ground level, he heard a loud "bang", followed by the low rotor RPM. In response, he lowered the collective and performed an autorotation on the paved taxiway. As a result of the hard impact, the skids spread, and the tailboom received substantial damage.

Initial examination of the engine revealed that the fuel servo induction air inlet duct was partially collapsed. The inner rubberized fabric liner of the duct had partially delaminated and separated from the outer rubberized fabric, obstructing the interior volume of the duct. The duct was retained, and the helicopter was secured for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Robinson
Registration: N725GT
Model/Series: R44 II
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Horizons Unlimited Air Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHIO, 204 ft msl
Observation Time: 1400 PDT
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 6°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 270°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Hillsboro, OR (HIO)
Destination: Warren, OR

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: 45.542222, -122.950833 (est) 

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