# NTSB GAA17CA401: Robinson Helicopter R44, N3203D, Paoli, IN, July 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 7, 2017, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Paoli, IN - Coordinates: 38.585556, -86.464721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5856&lon=-86.4647&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95540 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA401 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95540/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95540 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA401 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to maneuver an overgross weight helicopter at a low altitude and airspeed with a gusting tailwind, which resulted in a high descent rate and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete the operations due to a delay before the operations began. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Personality/attitude: motivation/respond to pressure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=7640122), [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. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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 ***This report was modified on June 13,2018. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** The helicopter pilot reported that he was performing an agricultural application flight and was in a hurry to spray the field because of a previous 3-hour delay caused by a broken fuel truck. The pilot reported that the weight of the helicopter was 40 lbs below the helicopter's maximum gross weight and that he "approached the field with the understanding that I was heavier, and it was hotter and more windy than I originally planned for." The pilot reported that the helicopter was headed south and that the wind was from the southwest about 15 knots. He made a low-altitude, low-airspeed, left turn to the north, and the helicopter entered a nose-low attitude and sank more rapidly than he anticipated. The pilot aborted the turn and chose to maintain a southeast heading to use the crosswind to avoid power lines. He attempted to arrest the sink rate by increasing the collective, but the low rotor rpm horn sounded. The helicopter impacted the ground, bounced, and then rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and the main rotor system. The nearest METAR was about 32 miles northwest of the accident site, and it reported, at the time of the accident, wind from 230° at 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The temperature was 88°F and the dew point was 20°F. The field elevation was 696 ft, and the density altitude was 2,786 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Helicopter Flying Handbook, FAA-8083-21A (pg. 2-4, para. 5), "turns in a helicopter increase the load factor exponentially, ultimately increasing the power requirement that is necessary to maintain the helicopter's altitude. Left pedal turns increase the quantity of anti-torque produced by the tail rotor, by demanding additional power from the 245-brake horsepower engine. Pilot flight control inputs demanding more power than the engine is capable of producing, with respect to the atmospheric conditions, adversely affects the helicopter's ability to sustain its altitude. Available engine power is directly correlated to main and tail rotor RPM. When the engine fails to produce the required power to sustain airspeed and altitude at high DA [descent altitude], the main rotor blades will exceed their critical angle of attack, consequently decreasing main rotor blade RPM." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative ***This report was modified on June 13,2018. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** The helicopter pilot reported that he was performing an agricultural flight and was in a hurry to spray the field because of a previous 3-hour delay caused by a broken fuel truck. The pilot reported that the weight of the helicopter was forty pounds under the helicopter's maximum gross weight, and "I approached the field with the understanding that I was heavier, and it was hotter and more windy than I originally planned for." He reported that the helicopter was headed south, and the wind was from the southwest about 15 knots. The pilot made a low altitude, low airspeed, left turn to the north, and the helicopter entered a nose low attitude and had a more rapid sink rate than he anticipated. The pilot aborted the turn and chose to maintain a southeast heading to utilize the crosswind to avoid powerline wires. He attempted to arrest the sink rate by increasing the collective, but the low rotor RPM horn sounded. The helicopter impacted the ground and bounced, then it rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom, and the main rotor system. The nearest METAR was about 32 miles northwest at the time of the accident reported and the wind was from 230° at 9 knots gusting to 16 knots. The temperature was 88°F and the dew point was 20°F. The field elevation was 696 feet and the density altitude was 2,786 feet. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Helicopter Flying Handbook, FAA-8083-21A (pg. 2-4, para. 5), turns in a helicopter increase the load factor exponentially, ultimately increasing the power requirement that is necessary to maintain the helicopter's altitude. Left pedal turns increase the quantity of anti-torque produced by the tail rotor, by demanding additional power from the 245-brake horsepower engine. Pilot flight control inputs demanding more power than the engine is capable of producing, with respect to the atmospheric conditions, adversely affects the helicopters ability to sustain its altitude. Available engine power is directly correlated to main and tail rotor RPM. When the engine fails to produce the required power to sustain airspeed and altitude at high DA, the main rotor blades will exceed their critical angle of attack, consequently decreasing main rotor blade RPM. According to the FAA Helicopter Instructor's Handbook, FAA-8083-4 (pg. 8-4, para. 5), If a pilot begins a landing approach with a 10 knot tailwind, at some time in the approach, the helicopter experiences a zero knot airspeed, which means a total loss of translational lift and thrust. In order to maintain the approach angle, more power must be added. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3203D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3203D-2017-12-08), registration cancelled 2017-12-08, S/N 11598, built 2005 (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-AE1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (registry code 41899, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 11598 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 1827 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-F1B5 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: JMX Helicopters - Registered owner: Jonathan Mabry - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 21, 2017 - Departed: SAR, Sparta, IL - Destination: Washington, IN - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 17, 2016; seat: right; flight hours: 1,548 total, 797 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KDCY, 32 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 20170707011229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170707011229A), Jul 7, 2017: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Paoli, IN, Substantial damage. On July 7, 2017 at approximately 10:30 eastern standard time, a Robinson R-44 ii rotorcraft, N3203D received substantial damage following collision with the… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95540. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458508&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458509&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Wreckage Location (item 3, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458510&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Location-Master.PDF - Density Altitude (item 4, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458511&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Density%20Altitude-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of Operator) (item 5, .PDF, 1 photo, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458512&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.