20090512047139A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Robinson He R44 · Iliamna, AK · May 12, 2009

Date: May 12, 2009 · 22:30 local
Place: Iliamna, AK
Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Operator: AK1J
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N7196H
NTSB investigation: NTSBANC09GA040
Reported as: Robinson He R44
Reported engine: Lycoming 0-540 series
People aboard: 3
Fatal injuries: 0
Other injuries: 0
Pilot’s certificate: Commercial pilot
Pilot’s flight hours: 4,800 total364 in this make and model31 in the last 90 days

N7196HRegistered now · Robinson Helicopter R44S/N 0994 · Built 2001 Airframe modelRobinson Helicopter R44 Engine modelLycoming 0-540 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

(Note: narrative subject to amendment as investigation proceeds - sjs 06/02/09.) Aircraft was loaded with-in 50 lbs of gross wieght, with CG located 1 inch forward of the forward CG limit. While in cruise flight and at approximately 100 KIAS, "chugging" of the main rotor occurred. In lieu of powering out of the "chugging" the pilot in command elected to land the aircraft. The resulting uncontrolled landing resulted in substantial damage.

As the FAA filed it

(NOTE: NARRATIVE SUBJECT TO AMENDMENT AS INVESTIGATION PROCEEDS - SJS 06/02/09.) AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WITH-IN 50 LBS OF GROSS WIEGHT, WITH CG LOCATED 1 INCH FORWARD OF THE FORWARD CG LIMIT. WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AND AT APPROXIMATELY 100 KIAS, "CHUGGING" OF THE MAIN ROTOR OCCURRED. IN LIEU OF POWERING OUT OF THE "CHUGGING" THE PILOT IN COMMAND ELECTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT. THE RESULTING UNCONTROLLED LANDING RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB ANC09GA040Accident · No injuriesFinal reportIliamna, AKThe main rotor transmission mount design, which resulted in an in-flight vibration/oscillation, and damage to the helicopter during an emergency descent and hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of information from the manufacturer regarding…May 12, 2009 · Substantial damage