# NTSB GAA17CA450: Robinson Helicopter R44, N344MM, Dunlap, IL, July 31, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2017, 11:19 local (16:19 UTC) - Place: Dunlap, IL - Coordinates: 40.861667, -89.678611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8617&lon=-89.6786&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95705 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA450 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95705/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95705 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA450 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to visually confirm that the helicopter was disconnected from hoses during refueling operations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s and ground crew’s misunderstanding of the hand signals. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): accuracy of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063515): Personnel issues › Task performance · Ground crew (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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft servicing event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the helicopter pilot, after an agricultural flight, he landed on the platform located on top of the truck to refuel the helicopter. The ground crew connected the fuel and chemical hoses to the helicopter. The pilot was taking notes and his focus was inside the helicopter during the connection of the hoses. The pilot reported that he did not expect the chemical hose to be connected to the helicopter. Once the helicopter had the required amount of fuel, the pilot motioned to the ground crew using hand and arm signals that more fuel would be required after the next flight. The driver removed the fuel hose from the helicopter and then stepped back and made eye contact with the pilot. The pilot reported that the ground crew then gave him a "thumbs up" signal. The pilot understood the signal to mean that the helicopter "was clear and safe for departure." The pilot returned the "thumbs up" signal and advanced the throttle. The helicopter ascended, and the pilot noticed the ground crew motioning that the helicopter remained connected to the chemical hose. The pilot observed that the chemical hose was still connected to the helicopter, and he applied aft cyclic. The tail rotor and then the main rotor struck the truck. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented if he had visually confirmed, "with his own eyes, that all possible connecting hoses were in fact, not connected and the departure could be safely executed." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the helicopter pilot, after an agricultural flight, he landed on the platform located on top of the truck to refuel the helicopter. The ground crew connected the fuel hose and the chemical hose to the helicopter. The pilot was taking notes and his focus was inside the helicopter during the connection of the hoses. The pilot reported that he did not expect for the chemical hose to be connected to the helicopter. Once the helicopter had taken on the required amount of fuel, the pilot motioned to the ground crew using hand and arm signals, that more fuel would be required after the next flight. The driver removed the fuel hose from the helicopter, then stepped back and made eye contact with the pilot. The pilot asserted that the ground crew then gave a "thumbs up" signal to the pilot. The pilot understood the signal to mean that the helicopter, "was clear and safe for departure." The pilot returned the "thumbs up" signal and advanced the throttle. The helicopter ascended, and the pilot noticed the ground crew motioning that the helicopter remained connected to the chemical hose. The pilot observed that the chemical hose was indeed still connected to the helicopter, and he applied aft cyclic. The tail rotor struck the truck, followed by the main rotor striking the truck also. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented if he had visually confirmed, "with his own eyes, that all possible connecting hoses were in fact, not connected and the departure could be safely executed." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N344MM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N344MM-2019-11-14), registration cancelled 2019-11-14, S/N 11280, built 2006 (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: [Continental IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-540-series) (registry code 17051, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 11280 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 2906 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-F1B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Lesco Aircraft Leasing & Sales Inc - Registered owner: Lesco Aircraft Leasing & Sales Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 2016 - Departed: C66, Monmouth, IL - Destination: C66, Monmouth, IL - Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 6, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 9,199 total, 574 in this make and model, 9,199 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KPIA, 12 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 20170731012729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170731012729A), Jul 31, 2017: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Dunlap, IL, Substantial damage. Narrative of sequence of events relative to the accident: A Robinson R-44 helicopter engaged in agricultural operations departed from a nurse truck platform… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 27, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95705. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460333&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460334&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%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.