# NTSB CEN21LA184: Robinson Helicopter R44, N8348X, Johnson, KS, April 5, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 5, 2021, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Johnson, KS - Coordinates: 37.667167, -101.988 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6672&lon=-101.9880&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 102879 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA184 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102879/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102879 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA184 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate pedal application during a transition to hover, 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: 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) ## Analysis The pilot was flying over his wheat fields as the wind was from the south at 10 knots. The pilot transitioned to a hover close to the ground and experienced a sudden unanticipated yaw to the left. The helicopter completed more than one full rotation to the left, then landed hard in the field and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and fuselage. Examination of the helicopter and flight control system did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. 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.” Given that the postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact anomalies and the 10-knot wind at the time of the accident, it is likely that the pilot did not apply adequate pedal input to avoid the loss of yaw control while transitioning to a hover. ## Factual narrative On April 5, 2021, at 1700 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N8348X, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Johnson, Kansas. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to statements provided by the pilot and pilot-rated passenger, they were using the helicopter to check their wheat fields. The wind was from the south at 10 knots. The pilot executed a hover maneuver close to the ground and experienced a sudden unanticipated yaw to the left. The helicopter completed more than one full rotation to the left, then landed hard in the field and rolled onto its left side. The pilot reported that he was not aware of any mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor blades. Examination of the helicopter and flight control system did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8348X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8348X), registered now, S/N 0332, built 1997 (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 0-540F1 SERIE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540f1-serie) (registry code 41531, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0332 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 4039 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Seger Robert E - Registered owner: Seger Robert E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2021, 60 hours before - Airport: n/a - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 2, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,235 total, 78 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days - Pilot-rated passenger; age 33; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 37.6 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 9 knots - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.64 inHg - Observed at: KSPD, 38 nm away - METAR: KSPD 052256Z AUTO 17009KT 29/M07 A2964 RMK AO1 SLP977 T02891072 ## 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 20210405005839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210405005839A), Apr 5, 2021: Robinson Helicopter R44, Johnson City, KS, Substantial damage. The aircraft [privacy data omitted]pilot stated he and his passenger/son were flying out to check crops. His adult son was riding along because he wants to be… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102879. 16.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 13.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12157510&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12158632&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20statement%20email_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Robinson safety notice SN-42 unanticipated yaw (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12158307&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Robinson%20Safety%20Notice%20SN42%20-%20Unanticipated%20Yaw-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement - flight control examination (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 169 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12321493&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20flight%20control%20exam%20email_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 505 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13443348&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13447728&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Wreckage%20Release%20(signed)_Redacted-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.