# NTSB ANC16CA051: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N719TF, Homer, AK, August 4, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 4, 2016, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Homer, AK - Coordinates: 59.585277, -151.329437 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.5853&lon=-151.3294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93650 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC16CA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93650/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93650 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16CA051 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a bird resulting in damage to a tail rotor blade, which required replacement. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while en route, about 1,000 feet above ground level (agl), a loud sound was heard in conjunction with feeling a "bump." At this point, a vibration was felt in the control pedals and a precautionary landing was executed. Upon inspection, an estimated 3-inch area of the tail rotor blade exhibited signs consistent with buckling. Witnesses on the ground reported seeing an object consistent with a bird fall from the sky after contact with the helicopter. No panels or other equipment was missing from the helicopter during an inspection following the landing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that while en route, about 1,000 feet above ground level (agl), a loud sound was heard in conjunction with feeling a "bump." At this point, a vibration was felt in the control pedals and a precautionary landing was executed. Upon inspection, an estimated 3-inch area of the tail rotor blade exhibited signs consistent with buckling. Witnesses on the ground reported seeing an object consistent with a bird fall from the sky after contact with the helicopter. No panels or other equipment was missing from the helicopter during an inspection following the landing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N719TF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N719TF-2024-02-03), registration cancelled 2024-02-03, S/N 10990, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 10990 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 1003 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2016, 23 hours before - Departed: HOM, HOMER, AK - Destination: HOM, HOMER, AK - Airport: HOM, Homer - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 21, 2015; seat: right; flight hours: 9,600 total, 85 in this make and model, 8,130 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 6 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: PAHO, 6 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20160804015999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160804015999A), Aug 4, 2016: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Homer, AK, Substantial damage. While in descent from cruise flight at 1000 feet over beach on sightseeeing flight, aircraft experienced loud bang with slight yaw and medium frequency… ## Other investigations on N719TF (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB CEN22LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA345), Jul 28, 2022: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N719TF), Ithaca, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low level aerial application operations due to a distraction. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93650. 722 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 722 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.