# NTSB GAA18CA366: Robinson R66, N7040P, Cordova, AK, June 19, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2018, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Cordova, AK - Coordinates: 60.674999, -144.741943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6750&lon=-144.7419&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97540 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA366 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97540/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97540 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA366 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in impact with brush and a loss of helicopter control. ## 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 R66, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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 R66, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, after multiple attempts to find a suitable landing site on a mountain ridgetop, the tail rotor impacted brush during landing. The helicopter pivoted, the main rotor contacted a communications tower, and the helicopter then rotated 180° and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the windscreen and main rotor mast. 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, after multiple attempts to find a suitable landing site on a mountain ridgetop, the tail rotor impacted brush during landing. The helicopter pivoted, the main rotor contacted a communications tower, and the helicopter rotated 180° and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the windscreen and main rotor mast. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7040P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7040P), registered now, S/N 0185, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R66 (No Series) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R66](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r66) (registry code 7640130) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C300/A1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c300-a1) (registry code 54232, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0185 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 460 - Engines: Rolls Royce RR300 300 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Ridgeline Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: A.C.E. Flyers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 21, 2018 - Departed: CKU, Cordova, AK - Destination: Cordova, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 18, 2018; seat: right; flight hours: 13,000 total, 450 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: PACV, 24 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 20180619008269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180619008269A), Jun 19, 2018: Robinson Helicopter Co R66, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. On 6/19/2018 N7040P a Robinson R-66 helicopter departed Cordova Municipal Airport at 10:30 am with the pilot and 2 pax onboard, destination was a remote… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97540. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466751&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. --- 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.