# NTSB CHI05LA235: Robinson R44, N534SE, Greenwood, IN, August 13, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 2005, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Greenwood, IN - Coordinates: 39.62994, -86.090437 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6299&lon=-86.0904&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62619 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62619/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA235 ## Probable cause The inadequate remedial action during landing by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis A helicopter used for sightseeing contacted the ground with the forward tips of the skids while in forward motion. The pilot stated that he reduced collective, a pitch oscillation ensued, and the helicopter rolled over onto its side. Inspection of the helicopter revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 2005, at 1115 eastern standard time, a Robinson R44, N534SE, piloted by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during landing at Greenwood Municipal Airport (HFY), Greenwood, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 revenue sightseeing flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. The local flight originated from HFY at 1110. The pilot was providing helicopter rides at the "HFY Open House," and the accident flight was about the pilot's 10th flight of the day. The pilot stated that when the helicopter was over the landing area, the forward ends of the skids contacted the ground with a "very small amount of forward motion." He stated that when the forward motion stopped, a reduction in collective was started and then an abrupt pitch oscillation began. The pitch oscillation increased and he tried to increase collective to lift the skids off the ground. The nose pitched down "violently" and the main rotor blades contacted the ground in front of the helicopter. The helicopter rolled onto its right side as the nose yawed left 90 degrees. Inspection of the helicopter by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N534SE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N534SE-2006-01-03), registration cancelled 2006-01-03, S/N 0534, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R44 - 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: 0534 - Airframe hours: 554.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 235 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: S & E Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2004, 50.9 hours before - Departed: HFY, Greenwood, IN - Destination: HFY - Airport: HFY, Greenwood Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2; last flight review October 1, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 716 total, 106 in this make and model, 541 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: IND ## 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 20050813024319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050813024319A), Aug 13, 2005: Robsin R44, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was operating at an airport open house and had successfully completed about 9 rides prior to the accident which occurred around 1110 local time.… 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.