# NTSB NYC06CA020: Robinson R44, N319CD, Bourne, MA, November 1, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 1, 2005, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Bourne, MA
- Coordinates: 41.677223, -70.60083
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6772&lon=-70.6008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO-01
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA020

## Probable cause

The inadvertent contact of a lift strap with the tail rotor during external load operations, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent collision with terrain.  A factor in this accident was the gusty wind conditions.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering
  - object - other (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot was conducting external load operations, when a gust of wind blew the lifting strap into the tail rotor.  The helicopter began to shudder, and rotate to the left.  The pilot entered an autorotation; however, during landing, the helicopter rolled over onto its left side.  Winds reported at an airport located about 4 miles east-southeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, were from 200 degrees at 17 knots, with 23 knot gusts.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was conducting external load operations, when a gust of wind blew lifting strap into the tail rotor.  The helicopter began to shudder, and rotate to the left.  The pilot entered an autorotation; however, during landing, the helicopter rolled over onto it's left side.  Winds reported at an airport located about 4 miles east-southeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, were from 200 degrees at 17 knots, with 23 knot gusts.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N319CD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N319CD-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 0585 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R44
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0585
- Airframe hours: 2278
- Engines: Lycoming O-540 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: External load, Part 91
- Registered owner: Firefly Leasing Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 2003, 80 hours before
- Departed: NONE, Wareham, MA
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: FMH, Falmouth

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: minor; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 731 total, 355 in this make and model, 135 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 17 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: FMH, 4 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 20051101026009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051101026009A), Nov 1, 2005: Robsin R44, Bourne, MA, Destroyed. (-23) While mud lifting an external load a gust of wind blew the semi attached mat into the tail rotor damaging it and causing the pilot to make a controlled…

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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