# NTSB GAA18CA072: Robinson Helicopter R44, N99RW, Fort Pierce, FL, December 5, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 5, 2017, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Fort Pierce, FL - Coordinates: 27.492221, -80.368057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4922&lon=-80.3681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96436/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96436 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA072 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a tail strike and hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [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) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, while hovering to land on a helipad, the tail struck the ground. He added that the helicopter landed hard and rolled over onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor blades, and tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 130° at 10 knots. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that, while hovering to land on a helipad, the tail struck the ground. He added that the helicopter landed hard and rolled over onto the left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor blades, and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 130° at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N99RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99RW-2018-04-23), registration cancelled 2018-04-23, S/N 0793, built 2000 (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 0-540F1 SERIE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540f1-serie) (registry code 41531, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0793 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 2559 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-F1 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Atlas Aviation Lp - Registered owner: Atlas Aviation Lp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 24, 2017 - Departed: BCT, BOCA RATON, FL - Destination: FPR, Fort Pierce, FL - Airport: FPR, Treasure Coast Intl - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 2,300 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KFPR, 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 20171205022769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171205022769A), Dec 5, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R44, Fort Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot of N99RW just returned from a cross country flight from boca raton back to the Fort Pierce Airport. After landing the pilot proceeded to taxi to the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96436. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 735 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459518&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459520&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.