# NTSB GAA17CA398: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N62FA, Pocahontas, IL, July 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 7, 2017, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Pocahontas, IL - Coordinates: 38.750831, -89.540832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7508&lon=-89.5408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Comm system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/336) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95537 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA398 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95537/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95537 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA398 ## Probable cause The helicopter pilot’s miscommunication with the ground crewmember during reloading operations, which resulted in a takeoff with the filler hose attached to the helicopter and subsequent impact with a truck. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Communication (personnel): accuracy of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063515): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063515/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063515/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Comm system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/336) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/336/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/336/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the helicopter was positioned on top of a platform that was located on top of the agricultural chemical truck while he was waiting for the ground crew to reload the helicopter. During the reload, he misinterpreted the ground crew members hand and arm signal and initiated the takeoff. He quickly realized that the filler hose was still attached when the helicopter yawed right and simultaneously banked left. He attempted a right pedal turn to avoid tail rotor contact with the truck, and he tried to position the helicopter as far from the truck as possible. However, when the helicopter descended, the main rotor blades struck the truck, and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive system and the main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that the helicopter was positioned on top of a platform that was located on top of the agricultural chemical truck. And he was waiting for the ground crew to reload the helicopter. During the reload, he misinterpreted the ground crew members hand and arm signal, and initiated the takeoff. He quickly realized that the filler hose was still attached when the helicopter yawed right and simultaneously banked left. He attempted a right pedal turn to avoid tail rotor contact with the truck, and he tried to position the helicopter as far from the truck as possible. However, when the helicopter descended, the main rotor blades struck the truck and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive system, and the main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62FA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62FA-2017-12-11), registration cancelled 2017-12-11, S/N 11176, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II (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: 11176 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 1857.9 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Jmx Helicopters LLC - Registered owner: Jmx Helicopters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 2017 - Departed: Pocahantas, IL - Destination: Pocahantas, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 4, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,630 total, 715 in this make and model, 1,594 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KALN, 24 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 20170707011239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170707011239A), Jul 7, 2017: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Pocahontas, IL, Substantial damage. The pilot submitted a statement that during a "resupply" of application chemical, there was a miscommunication/misunderstanding between the pilot an ground… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95537. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457635&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.