# NTSB ERA21LA252: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N443SH, Sylva, NC, June 14, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 14, 2021, 10:54 local (14:54 UTC)
- Place: Sylva, NC
- Coordinates: 35.317211, -83.209704
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3172&lon=-83.2097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103264
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103264/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103264
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA252

## Probable cause

The pilot’s intentional departure from the procedures published in the manufacturer’s flight training guide, and his subsequent loss of engine rpm, rotor rpm, and aircraft control.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: powerplant parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640122), [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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was demonstrating emergency procedures and non-standard maneuvers in the helicopter to a new hire pilot and a company sales representative. After several simulated engine failures and autorotations, the pilot initiated a “quick stop” maneuver. The maneuver he performed did not comport with the published procedure in the manufacturer’s flight training guide, and in some cases contradicted the factory guidance in the pilot’s admittedly “slightly modified maneuver.” The pilot initiated the maneuver about 40 ft. above the runway with about 40 knots airspeed. He reduced throttle, which was not directed, added left pedal, which was opposite of that directed, the engine and rotor rpm decayed, and the helicopter descended. The pilot said that he could not recover the engine or rotor rpm prior to the collision with the runway, which substantially damaged the helicopter. The 3 occupants of the helicopter egressed without injury. The pilot stated there were no mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter that would have prevented normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N443SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N443SH-2023-01-14), registration cancelled 2023-01-14, S/N 10306, 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 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 10306
- Year built: 2004
- Airframe hours: 6170
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AF1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Tunica Helicopters, doing business as Leading Edge Helicopters
- Registered owner: Spitzer Helicopter LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 2021, 94 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 24A, Jackson County, runway 15/33, 3,210 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,977 total, 1,897 in this make and model, 6,742 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days
- Other flight crew; age 22; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 15, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: K1A5, 12 nm away
- METAR: METAR K1A5 141455Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 27/20 A3003 RMK AO2 P0001 60002 T02720201

## 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 20210614009559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210614009559A), Jun 14, 2021: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Sylva, NC, Substantial damage. While demonstrating a ?quick stop? Maneuver to his two passengers, the pilot ?slightly modified? The procedure by adding left pedal (contrary to the POH)…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103264. 103 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 96.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12506247&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12494897&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Statement%20from%20Sylva%20NC%20incident_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (FAA) (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12506412&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=F1360_33%20Burnett%20Signed-Rel.pdf
- Pilot-rated passenger written statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12495489&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Rel.pdf
- Pilot-rated passenger memorandum for record (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12495931&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Coya%20Nack%20-%20Copy-Rel.pdf
- Quick stop flight training guide (Robinson) (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 283 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12495941&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Quick%20Stop%20Flight%20Training%20Guide%20(Robinson)-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12495593&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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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