# NTSB CEN22LA333: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N442JE, Waterloo, IL, July 22, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 22, 2022, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Waterloo, IL · corn field
- Coordinates: 38.3359, -90.1498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3359&lon=-90.1498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA333
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105560/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105560
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA333

## Probable cause

The malfunction of the flight controls for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

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

- [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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 he was maneuvering at low altitude to apply fungicide to a corn field. The collective flight control stiffened to a point that the pilot was unable to arrest the helicopter’s descent rate. The pilot attempted to use cyclic control to flare the helicopter and arrest the descent; however, the cyclic control was not responsive, and the helicopter impacted the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom, fuselage, and main rotor system. The pilot stated that he suspected that the flight controls’ hydraulic assist system malfunctioned. During the on-site inspection, no obvious anomalies were found with the flight control system. Flight control continuity was confirmed on site. All 3 servos (2 forward and 1 aft) passed bench functionality tests and the hydraulic pump, reservoir, and fluids were normal. The right forward servo had a slightly bent piston shaft, but still was fully functional. The bent shaft was consistent with impact damage. The spool drives of each servo were examined and exhibited signatures consistent with normal operation. An examination of the hydraulic system components revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The reason for the reported flight control malfunction could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 2022, about 0920 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N442JE, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Waterloo, Illinois. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. The pilot reported that he was in a descent approaching a field to apply fungicide to a corn field. The collective flight control stiffened to a point that the pilot was unable to arrest the helicopter’s descent rate. The pilot attempted to use cyclic control to flare the helicopter and arrest the descent; however, the cyclic control was not responsive. The helicopter’s skids contacted the ground, which resulted in a rollover and cartwheel as the main rotors impacted the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom, fuselage, and main rotor system. The pilot stated that he suspected that the flight controls’ hydraulic assist system malfunctioned. During the on-site inspection, no obvious anomalies were found with the flight control system. Collective, cyclic, and anti-torque pedals were all connected and appeared to be normal. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the main rotor swashplate linkages and main rotor blades. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit anti-torque pedals to the tail rotor gearbox and tail rotor linkages. The hydraulic components were removed for detailed examinations. All 3 servos (2 forward and 1 aft) passed bench functionality tests. The hydraulic pump, reservoir, and fluids were normal. The forward right servo had a slightly bent piston shaft, but still was fully functional. The spool drives of the forward and aft servos exhibited signatures with normal operations. No anomalies were found that would preclude normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N442JE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N442JE), registered now, S/N 10250, built 2004 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41585, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 10250
- Year built: 2004
- Airframe hours: 647
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Concho Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 2022, 85 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: Satellite tracking device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 270 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: KCPS, 14 nm away
- METAR: KCPS 211353Z 26003KT 10SM CLR 27/21 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP126 T0272020

## 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 20220722007649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220722007649A), Jul 22, 2022: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Waterloo, IL, Substantial damage. On July 22, 2022, at approximately 0921L, a Robinson-44 (R-44) helicopter, N442JE, made a hard landing in a field located near Waterloo, IL, latitude:…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105560. 28.5 MB in all.

- NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16995571&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN22LA333%20(2)_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16995721&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20CEN22LA333-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for the record summary of FAA findings on scene (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16996116&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Summary%20of%20FAA%20Findings%20on%20Scene%20CEN22LA333-Rel.pdf
- Hydraulic system and servo examination findings (item 4, PDF, 11 pages, 18.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16996064&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Hydraulic%20System%20and%20Servo%20Examination%20Findings%20CEN22LA333_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16996074&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photos%20CEN22LA333-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for the record maintenance record excerpts (item 6, PDF, 9 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17020612&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Maintenance%20Record%20Excerpts%20CEN22LA333_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.

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