# NTSB ERA10CA407: Robinson Helicopter R44, N367JM, Aguadilla, PR, August 8, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 8, 2010, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Aguadilla, PR
- Coordinates: 18.3775, -67.027778
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.3775&lon=-67.0278&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: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA407
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76880/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76880
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA407

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight performance calculations, which resulted in the overweight helicopter's lack of hover capability out of ground effect.

## Findings

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

- [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md)
- [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Prior to flight: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md)
- [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)
- [Takeoff: 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)
- [Other: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff the helicopter encountered a downdraft about 20 feet above the hilltop helipad. He stated that he attempted to compensate for the wind with a collective input, but the helicopter descended and struck the downsloping hillside. The helicopter came to rest on its side and incurred substantial damage during the accident sequence. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter. Review of performance documents in the Pilot's Operating Handbook for the helicopter revealed that it was loaded 94 pounds above the maximum gross weight and 120 pounds above the maximum allowable gross weight for out-of-ground-effect hover maneuvers for the environmental conditions present at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

During the takeoff, about 20 feet above the hilltop helipad, the pilot "felt a downdraft hit the helicopter." He stated that he corrected with a collective input, but "got low rpm," and responded with collective and cyclic control inputs. The helicopter descended and impacted the down-sloping hillside, and came to rest on its side, which resulted in substantial damage. When asked if there were any mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident, the pilot stated, "No, it was perfect." Review of performance documents in the Pilot's Operating Handbook revealed that the helicopter was loaded 94 pounds above the manufacturer's maximum gross weight and 120 pounds above the maximum allowable gross weight for out of ground effect hover maneuvers for the environmental conditions present at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N367JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N367JM-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 0638, built 1999 (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 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0638
- Airframe hours: 1050
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Isla Grande Rental Corp
- Registered owner: Isla Grande Rental Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 23, 2010
- Departed: NONE, Aguadilla, PR
- Destination: NONE, San Sebastian, PR
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 320 total, 150 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 17 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: TJBQ, 10 nm away

## 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 20100808043009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100808043009A), Aug 8, 2010: Robinson He R44, San Sebastian, PR, Substantial damage. On August 8, 2010, approximately 1330 hrs local time, a Robinson helicopter model R-44 with registration number N367JM and piloted by Mr. Ramon anglada,…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76880. 3.1 MB in all.

- Memorandum for Record: Telephone Interview - Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%3A%20Telephone%20Interview%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335457&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Accessable Text Format) (item 3, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Accessable%20Text%20Format)-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335491&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record: Telephone Interview - FAA Inspector (item 5, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335465&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%3A%20Telephone%20Interview%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Redacted.PDF
- Weight and Balance Plot (item 6, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335467&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weight%20and%20Balance%20Plot-Master.PDF
- Out of Ground Effect Hover vs. Gross Weight Chart (item 7, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336282&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Out%20of%20Ground%20Effect%20Hover%20vs.%20Gross%20Weight%20Chart-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Helicopter at accident site (courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335453&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Helicopter%20at%20accident%20site%20(courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Overall view of accident site and helipad (courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335454&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Overall%20view%20of%20accident%20site%20and%20helipad%20(courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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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