# NTSB CEN21LA095: Robinson Helicopter R44, N3264U, Morris, IL, December 20, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 20, 2020, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Morris, IL · 60450 - Coordinates: 41.428698, -88.420823 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4287&lon=-88.4208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 102442 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102442/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102442 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA095 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate pedal application during liftoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of yaw control and a subsequent 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, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had initially completed pickups and set downs on four different headings, then departed the area for a local flight. When he returned to the airport, he again practiced pickups and set downs in the same spot on the ramp, and the wind was from the west as he completed these maneuvers. During the final maneuver, the wind shifted, and he lost control of the helicopter. There were three weather observations recorded from around the accident time and the wind was from 240° to 250° at 6 to 7 knots, with no reported gusts. An airport surveillance video showed that during accident sequence, the helicopter was facing east when it briefly touched down and wobbled, then lifted up as the tail boom swung around in a clockwise direction. The tail rotor impacted the ramp then climbed and continued to rotate. The helicopter completed about 1.5 rotations as it descended and impacted the ground and rolled onto its right side. The helicopter manufacturer had previously issued a safety notice for unanticipated yaw, which stated in part, “A pilot's failure to apply proper pedal inputs in response to strong or gusty winds during hover or low-speed flight may result in an unanticipated yaw…To avoid unanticipated yaw, pilots should be aware of conditions (a left crosswind, for example) that may require large or rapid pedal inputs.” The accident is consistent with the inadequate pedal application during the liftoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of yaw control and a subsequent impact with terrain. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3264U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3264U), registered now, S/N 1715 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-F1B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (registry code 42353, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1715 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 1954.1 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-F1B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tri-B Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2020 - Airport: C09, Morris Muni - James R Washburn Fld ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 2, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,650 total, 280 in this make and model, 1,175 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: C09 - METAR: KC09 202255Z AUTO 25006KT 10SM CLR 03/00 A2980 RMK AO2 T00291004 ## 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 20201220019289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201220019289A), Dec 20, 2020: Robinson Helicopter R44, Morris, IL, Destroyed. Time of accident 1645 local (2245 z). ASOS data shows wind at 1615 local (2215 z) as 250 degrees @ 7 k, no gusts. ASOS data shows wind at 1635 local (2235 z)… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 11, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102442. 18.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11897820&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%202_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Video file - accident sequence (item 2, MP4, 7.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11754147&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=N3264U%20accident%20video-Rel.mp4 - FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11754402&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Robinson documents (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 590 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11880047&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Robinson%20Documents-Rel.pdf - Meteorology - metars (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 330 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11754283&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=C09%20metars-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11754575&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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. --- 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.