# NTSB GAA19CA103: Robinson R44, N7535S, Strykersville, NY, December 18, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 18, 2018, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Strykersville, NY - Coordinates: 42.76889, -78.461112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7689&lon=-78.4611&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98799 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98799/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98799 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA103 ## Probable cause The structural failure of the home-built landing platform during landing, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); 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) - [Airport facilities/design: ground support/equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017070): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017070/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017070/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: 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) - [After landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing on a home-built landing platform, the helicopter landed normally and was stable. He reduced engine power and began to wait the prescribed engine cool-down period before shutdown. About 1 minute before the engine completely shut down, the platform collapsed, and the helicopter rolled aft and to the right and then came to rest on its right side. Postaccident examination of the platform revealed that it had a structural failure and had collapsed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. 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, during landing on a home-built landing platform (dolly), the helicopter landed normally and was stable. He reduced engine power and began to wait the prescribed engine cool down period before shutdown. About "60 seconds prior to complete shutdown", the platform (dolly) collapsed, and the helicopter rolled aft and to the right. The helicopter came to rest on its right side. Postaccident examination of the platform revealed that the home-built landing platform had a structural failure and collapsed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7535S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7535S-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 10496, built 2004 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 10496 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 1824.4 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Moog Inc. - Registered owner: Moog Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 6, 2018 - Departed: Strykersville, NY - Destination: Strykersville, NY - Airport: PVT, KING AIRFIELD Private - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 25, 2018; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 2,920 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KBUF, 16 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 20181218018769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181218018769A), Dec 18, 2018: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Strykersville, NY, Substantial damage. At the completion of a day VFR flight the aircraft landed on a homemade landing/handling dolly at a private residence. During the engine cool down procedure… ## Other investigations on N7535S (1) 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. - [NTSB DFW05CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA072), Apr 13, 2005: Robinson R44 II (N7535S), Woodward, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's encounter with adverse weather conditions. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 12, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98799. 8.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 7.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470994&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 277 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470995&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.