Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
RotorWings Aviation LLC
Location: Hebron, Nebraska
Accident Number: CEN20CA316
Date & Time: July 27, 2020, 15:30 Local
Registration: N771GB
Aircraft: Robinson R44
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel related
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
Analysis
The pilot reported that during the initial climb out for the aerial application flight, he noticed a power loss and initiated an autorotation into a cornfield. During the landing, the fuselage, tail rotor and horizontal/vertical stabilizers were substantially damaged. Fuel drained from the helicopter's gascolator during recovery contained a large quantity of water. Fuel storage for the spray operation consisted of a primary (filtered) and a secondary (unfiltered) storage tank. When fuel was needed from the secondary storage tank, it would be transferred to the primary storage tank to ensure filtering.
On the evening prior to the accident, over 4 inches of rainfall occurred at the airport. The operator thought a fuel cap may have been left off the secondary storage tank inadvertently, which may have allowed water to enter the tank. On the day of the accident, due to a pump failure in the primary storage tank, fuel was drawn directly from the secondary (unfiltered) storage tank. The operator stated that rushing contributed to loading unfiltered fuel into the helicopter. The pilot did not sump the helicopter's fuel tanks as required by the flight manual during preflight and/or after refueling, which would have identified the water contamination.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight to sump the fuel tanks prior to flight.
Findings
Aircraft Fuel - Fluid management
Personnel issues Preflight inspection - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Initial climb Fuel related (Defining event)
Autorotation Hard landing
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 37,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
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: July 26, 2020
Flight Time: 2880 hours (Total, all aircraft), 450 hours (Total, this make and model), 2840 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 60 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 35 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Robinson
Registration: N771GB
Model/Series: R44 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2000
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 0778
Landing Gear Type: N/A; Skid
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 12, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2401 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1465 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: O-540 SERIES
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 225 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHJH,1473 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 15:35 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 214°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2400 ft AGL
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 60°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / Light
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hebron, NE (HJH)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Hebron, NE (HJH)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 15:30 Local
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: Hebron Muni HJH
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 1468 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation
Runway Used:
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 40.151943,-97.584442(est)
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