# NTSB GAA18CA147: Robinson Helicopter R44, N7519G, Talkeetna, AK, February 24, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 24, 2018, 14:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.169445, -149.689727 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1694&lon=-149.6897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 14, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96811/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96811
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA147

## Probable cause

The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

## 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, 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)
- [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, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md)
- [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The helicopter pilot reported that, during the off-airport landing, he believed he was landing on packed snow. He added that, during touchdown, the helicopter began to tip to the right, and he attempted to recover to no avail. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the windshield and horizontal stabilizer. 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, during the off-airport landing, he believed he was landing on packed snow. He added that, during touchdown the helicopter began to tip to the right and he attempted to recover to no avail. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the windshield and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7519G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7519G), registered now, S/N 1363, built 2004 (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: 1363
- Year built: 2004
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-F1 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 26, 2017
- Departed: TKA, TALKEETNA, AK
- Destination: Talkeetna, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review July 28, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 11,500 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 10,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 29.61 inHg
- Observed at: PATK, 15 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 20180224003079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180224003079A), Feb 24, 2018: Robinson Helicopter R44, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft rolled to the right on soft snow landing.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 11, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96811. 526 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 342 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461857&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461858&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.

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