# NTSB LAX06CA221: Robinson R-44, N52EP, Fresno, CA, June 29, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 28, 2006, 18:00 local (Jun 29, 2006, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.7425, -119.821662 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7425&lon=-119.8217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64011 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64011/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA221 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control following a loss of tail rotor effectiveness while in a downwind hover. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - weather condition - tailwind - hovering turn - attempted, pilot in command - loss of tail rotor effectiveness - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The pilot lost tail rotor authority control of the helicopter during a downwind hovering turn. The helicopter was parked facing a downwind direction and the pilot estimated the winds at 13 knots. The pilot positioned the helicopter to a hover about 4-5 feet above ground level (agl) and initiated a left pedal turn into the wind. He felt the tail rotor start to shudder, and the helicopter began yawing to the left. The helicopter then entered a spin and started to gain altitude. After three spins, the pilot executed a hovering autorotation at 15 feet agl. The left skid contacted the ground first. The helicopter then nosed forward about 30 degrees, and the main rotor blades hit the ground. The pilot applied aft cyclic, and the helicopter touched down level on both skids. The helicopter came to rest on a sloped area between the taxiway and runway. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 2006, about 1800 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-44, N52EP, lost tail rotor authority and impacted terrain at Fresno Chandler Executive Airport, Fresno, California. The pilot/owner was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed Fresno about 1800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written report the pilot stated that the helicopter was parked heading in a downwind direction prior to takeoff. He estimated the tailwind to be gusting from 13 knots. He positioned the helicopter into a downwind hover about 4-5 feet above ground level (agl) and initiated a left pedal turn into the wind. He felt the tail rotor start to shutter, and the helicopter began yawing to the left. The helicopter then entered a spin to the right and started to gain altitude. After three spins, the pilot executed a hover autorotation at 15 feet agl. The left skid contacted the ground first. The helicopter then nosed forward about 30 degrees, and the main rotor blades hit the ground. The pilot applied aft cyclic, and the helicopter touched down level on both skids. The helicopter came to rest on a sloped area between the taxiway and runway. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52EP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52EP-2020-09-15), registration cancelled 2020-09-15, S/N 0077, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 ASTRO](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-astro) (registry code 7640121) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540F1 SERIE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540f1-serie) (registry code 41531, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0077 - Airframe hours: 1805 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-540-F1B5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006 - Departed: FCH, Fresno, CA - Destination: FCH, Fresno, CA - Airport: FCH, Fresno Chandler Executive, runway 12, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 309 total, 100 in this make and model, 309 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: FAT, 6 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 20060628013579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060628013579A), Jun 28, 2006: Robsin R44ASTRO, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot performed a downwind takeoff with a thirteen knot tailwind. During this phase of flight, the helicopter lost tailrotor authority causing loss… 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.