# NTSB CEN14CA338: Robinson Helicopter R44, N225TV, Olathe, KS, July 2, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2014, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Olathe, KS - Coordinates: 38.853889, -94.735275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8539&lon=-94.7353&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) shutdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89603 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA338 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89603/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89603 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA338 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to follow the manufacturer's engine shutdown procedure. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) shutdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported he landed at the airport without incident. During engine shutdown, he applied rotor brake to slow the main rotor blades. When the pilot released the brake, he heard a bang and felt an impact to the aircraft on the rear left side. He reapplied the main rotor brake intermittently until the blades stopped. The pilot exited the aircraft and noticed a tail boom strike occurred. He stated he input aft cyclic during landing to accommodate landing slightly downhill and did not place the controls in neutral during shutdown. According to the manufacture's shutdown procedures, the cyclic and pedals should be in the neutral position. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he landed at the airport without incident. During engine shutdown, he applied rotor brake to slow the main rotor blades. When the pilot released the brake, he heard a bang and felt an impact to the aircraft on the rear left side. He reapplied the main rotor brake intermittently until the blades stopped. The pilot exited the aircraft and noticed a tail boom strike occurred. He stated he input aft cyclic during landing to accommodate landing slightly downhill and did not place the controls in neutral during shutdown. According to the manufacture's shutdown procedures, the cyclic and pedals should be in the neutral position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N225TV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N225TV), registered now, S/N 0253 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0253 - Year built: 1996 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: KC Copters - Registered owner: Ehl LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 26, 2013 - Departed: Iola, KS - Destination: OJC, OLATHE, KS - Airport: OJC, Johnson County Executive - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 1,450 total, 950 in this make and model, 39.4 in the last 90 days, 21.7 in the last 30 days, 1.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 15 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KOJC ## 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 20140702017299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140702017299A), Jul 2, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R44, Olathe, KS, Substantial damage. Helicopter parked facing the north on a downhill slope. Wind was out of the north at 15 gusting to 23 mph. During shutdown sequence, as he released the rotor… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89603. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Record of Interview with Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425567&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Interview%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Shutdown Procedure for Robinson Model R44 (item 3, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425569&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Shutdown%20Procedure%20for%20Robinson%20Model%20R44-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.