# NTSB GAA15CA013: Robinson Helicopter R44, N701CT, Lake Hamilton, AR, March 21, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 20, 2015, 20:00 local (Mar 21, 2015, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Hamilton, AR - Coordinates: 34.453056, -93.03833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4531&lon=-93.0383&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Little Rock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90909 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90909/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90909 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA013 ## Probable cause The pilot's overcorrection to the landing pad shifting, which resulted in the helicopter impacting trees. A factor contributing to the accident was the collapse of the landing pad. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 124 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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) ## Analysis The pilot stated he made an approach and landing to the landing pad. Upon landing, the pilot began reducing power, and reported that the helicopter was stabile for about 3 seconds and then part of the landing pad gave out. The pilot stated that the elevated landing pad has a clay foundation with a shell top and that recent rain may have compromised the landing pad stability. The helicopter rocked backwards and the tail skid struck the ground. The helicopter began rotating to the left and the pilot overcorrected to the right resulting in the helicopter colliding with trees. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the tail boom. After multiple requests, the pilot did not turn in the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report as requested. The pilot verified that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he made an approach and landing to the landing pad. Upon landing, the pilot began reducing power, and reported that the helicopter was stabile for about 3 seconds and then part of the landing pad gave out. The pilot stated that the elevated landing pad has a clay foundation with a shell top and that recent rain may have compromised the landing pad stability. The helicopter rocked backwards and the tail skid struck the ground. The helicopter began rotating to the left and the pilot overcorrected to the right resulting in the helicopter colliding with trees. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the tail boom. After multiple requests, the pilot did not turn in the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report as requested. The pilot verified that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N701CT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N701CT-2018-03-28), registration cancelled 2018-03-28, S/N 1161, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 1161 - Year built: 2002 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Heien Britt - Registered owner: Heien Britt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Stuttgart, AR - Destination: Lake Hamilton, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; private; medical: unknown; flight hours: 500 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KHOT, 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 20150320002649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150320002649A), Mar 20, 2015: Robinson Helicopter R44, Lake Hamilton, AR, Destroyed. On March 20, 2015, at 2000 CST a Robinson R44, N701CT collided with trees after an attempted landing to a private property near Lake Hamilton, AR. The private… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90909. 920 KB in all. - Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 1, .PDF, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426858&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426859&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – View of helicopter front (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426860&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20helicopter%20front%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – View of helicopter top (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426862&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20helicopter%20top%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 – View of tail boom (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426863&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20tail%20boom%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 4 – View of helicopter (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 161 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426864&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20helicopter%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%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. --- 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.