# NTSB ERA14CA413: Robinson Helicopter R44, N752EC, Hayesville, NC, August 17, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 17, 2014, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Hayesville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.040874, -83.81076 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0409&lon=-83.8108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89985
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA413
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89985/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89985
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA413

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, and adequate clearance, which resulted in a collision with a hangar.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [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)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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

According to the pilot, after landing the helicopter in front of a hangar, the helicopter began to rise and tilt. He increased the collective and "over corrected" with the cyclic, which resulted in the main rotor impacting the hangar. The helicopter settled onto the concrete apron and rolled over resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor blades. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, after landing the helicopter in front of a hangar, the helicopter began to rise and tilt. He increased the collective and "over corrected" with the cyclic, which resulted in the main rotor impacting the hangar. The helicopter settled onto the concrete apron and rolled over resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor blades. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N752EC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N752EC), registered now, S/N 2028 (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: 2028
- Year built: 2009
- Airframe hours: 545
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-F1B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Don Johnston
- Registered owner: MAHC Properties
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 2013
- Departed: Hayesville, NC
- Destination: Hayesville, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 26, 2014; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,850 total, 31 in this make and model, 1,850 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: RHP

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 22, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89985. 893 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 559 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420290&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record (item 2, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Insurance Adjuster) (item 3, .PDF, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420292&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Insurance%20Adjuster)-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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