# NTSB CEN21LA021: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N31136, Washington, WI, October 18, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 18, 2020, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Washington, WI
- Coordinates: 45.389097, -86.924557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3891&lon=-86.9246&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Milwaukee FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102165/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102165
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA021

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during a hover and improper recovery action after the helicopter contacted the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover sequence and an impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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)
- [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-hover: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); 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)
- [Maneuvering-hover: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while moving over a slight incline at a hover in preparation for the takeoff, a gust of wind caused the helicopter to weathervane, inadvertently contact the ground, and initiate a rolling motion. Although the proper response was to lower the collective in this situation, the pilot’s immediate reaction was to increase the collective, which exacerbated the dynamic rollover sequence. The helicopter continued the rolling motion and came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, the fuselage, and the tail rotor system. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31136](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31136-2021-09-27), registration cancelled 2021-09-27, S/N 14388 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 14388
- Year built: 2020
- Airframe hours: 70
- Engines: Lycoming Engines HIO-540 245 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Midwestern Helicopter, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: 3D2, Ephraim, WI
- Airport: 2P2, Washington Island Airport
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 16, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 3-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 9 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 42 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: 2P2

## 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 20201018017039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201018017039A), Oct 18, 2020: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Washington Isla, WI, Substantial damage. On 10/18/2020 at 2:00 pm a Robinson R-44 helicopter registration number N31136 with a single pilot occupant was departing Washington Island Airport. While…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102165. 4.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11558930&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 954 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11559356&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.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.

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