# NTSB GAA18CA534: Robinson R44, N99645, Girdwood, AK, August 30, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 29, 2018, 17:00 local (Aug 30, 2018, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Girdwood, AK - Coordinates: 60.284442, -152.453338 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2844&lon=-152.4533&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98245 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA534 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98245/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98245 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA534 ## Probable cause The fisherman's fishing rod striking the helicopter’s rotating main rotor disk during loading. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=7640122), [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. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md) - [After landing: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while "hot loading" the second set of fishermen onto the helicopter, a fishing rod struck a main rotor disc. The pilot added that he heard a "small tick," but that, as he hovered the helicopter, he felt no unusual indications through the flight controls. During examination of the helicopter after shutdown, the pilot found damage to the main rotor blade, and based on the manufacturer's main rotor blade damage guidance, he determined that the main rotor blade was beyond repair limits. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while "hot loading" the second set of fishermen onto the helicopter, one of the fishing rods went into the main rotor disc. The pilot heard a "small tick" but felt nothing on the controls. He hovered the helicopter and no unusual indications were felt through the flight controls. Upon examination after shutdown, the pilot discovered damage to the main rotor blade and based on the manufacturer's main rotor blade damage guidance, the main rotor blade was found beyond repair limits. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blade. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N99645](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99645), registered now, S/N 13448, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson 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: 13448 - Year built: 2013 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Alpine Air Alaska Inc - Registered owner: Alpine Air Alaska Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Drift River, AK - Destination: Drift River, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 2,140 total, 1,350 in this make and model, 2,070 as pilot in command, 245 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: PALV, 32 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 20180829012489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180829012489A), Aug 29, 2018: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Polly Creek, AK, Substantial damage. While idling on the ground during passenger pickup, helicopter main rotor blade was struck by a passenger?s fishing pole. Pole tip pierced the main rotor blade… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98245. 979 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 827 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476773&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476774&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.