# NTSB GAA18CA066: Robinson Helicopter R44, N744WT, New Orleans, LA, November 29, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 29, 2017, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: New Orleans, LA - Coordinates: 30.04, -90.022499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0400&lon=-90.0225&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96409 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96409/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96409 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA066 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to land the helicopter with both skids on the trailer platform, which resulted in a loss of control. ## 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 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) - [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 II, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: 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) - [Maneuvering-hover: 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) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, while positioning the helicopter on a trailer for maintenance, the helicopter landed on the trailer with the left skid off the platform, and the tail rotor struck the ground. The pilot added that the helicopter climbed about 50 ft, and he reduced power. During the descent, the main rotor blade struck the tailboom, and the helicopter impacted the pavement. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, and main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that, while positioning the helicopter on a trailer for maintenance, the helicopter landed on the trailer with the left skid off the platform and the tail rotor struck the ground. The pilot added that the helicopter climbed about 50 ft. and he reduced power. During the descent, the main rotor blade struck the tail boom and the helicopter impacted the pavement. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N744WT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N744WT-2019-08-15), registration cancelled 2019-08-15, S/N 11489, 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: [Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (registry code 41899, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 11489 - Year built: 2006 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NEW, New Orleans, LA - Destination: NEW, New Orleans, LA - Airport: NEW, Lakefront - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 4, 2015; seat: front; flight hours: 4,670 total, 3,200 in this make and model, 4,445 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KNEW, 1 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 20171129022179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171129022179A), Nov 29, 2017: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, New Orleans, LA, Substantial damage. On November 29, 2017, N744WT, at approximately 1630 local, N744WT, a Robinson R-44II, serial number 11489 was being repositioned from the ramp to a flatbed… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96409. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459526&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459527&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.