# NTSB CEN14CA223: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N32VB, Liberty, MO, April 25, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 25, 2014, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Liberty, MO - Coordinates: 39.292778, -94.442222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2928&lon=-94.4422&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89130 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA223 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89130/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89130 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA223 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while operating in gusty wind conditions at a low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis Upon arrival at the destination airport, the pilot hovered the helicopter about 2 feet above the ground and prepared to land. The pilot noted that during the hover while the nose of the helicopter was pointed east, the wind shifted direction and gusted from the west. The helicopter's tail section raised and the nose lowered, which allowed the main rotor blades to strike the ground. The helicopter rolled over on its left side and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and fuselage. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the scene; an examination of the helicopter was conducted and did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot noted that if he had kept the helicopter's nose pointed into the wind then the accident might not have occurred. ## Factual narrative Upon arrival at the destination airport, the pilot hovered the helicopter about 2 feet above the ground and prepared to land. The pilot noted that during the hover while the nose of the helicopter was pointed east, the wind shifted direction and gusted from the west. The helicopter's tail section raised and the nose lowered, which allowed the main rotor blades to strike the ground. The helicopter rolled over on its left side and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and fuselage. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the scene; an examination of the helicopter was conducted and did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot noted that if he had kept the helicopter's nose pointed into the wind then the accident might not have occurred. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32VB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32VB-2018-02-13), registration cancelled 2018-02-13, S/N 10636, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II (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: 10636 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 1217 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Eid-Co - Registered owner: Eid-Co - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2013, 42 hours before - Departed: POF, POPLAR BLUFF, MO - Destination: 0N0, LIBERTY, MO - Airport: 0N0, Roosterville ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,088 total, 713 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KMCI, 13 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 20140425016179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140425016179A), Apr 25, 2014: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Liberty, MO, Substantial damage. While hovering and maneuvering to park, the helicopter's left skid contacted the ground, then the rotor blades. This caused the aircraft to roll over on its… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89130. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412559&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 2, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412561&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-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.