WPR10CA192

NTSB accident investigation · Robinson R44 · Temecula, CA · April 6, 2010

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
April 6, 2010, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
Place
Temecula, CA
Injuries
3 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N688SSRobinson R44
Defining event
Takeoff: Loss of control in flight
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report July 1, 2010
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Western Pacific Region
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20100406031059A
Case key
75681

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff.

Findings · 5

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Performance/control parameters: directional controlAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedRobinson Helicopter R44: 5 casesAll aircraft: 3,958 casesProbable cause
ActionPersonnel issues › Action/decision · PilotRobinson Helicopter R44: 3 casesAll aircraft: 111 casesProbable cause
Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrainEnvironmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcomeRobinson Helicopter R44: 2 casesAll aircraft: 329 cases
Wind: variable windEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operationRobinson Helicopter R44: 1 caseAll aircraft: 113 cases
Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parametersAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedRobinson Helicopter R44: 15 casesAll aircraft: 182 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot stated that he and two passengers traveled to a friend's private residence in the accident helicopter and landed on a hill with a slope. They were at the residence for a few hours before they got back in the helicopter to travel home. During their visit, the wind direction had become variable and produced a tailwind to the parked position of the helicopter. The pilot stated that prior to takeoff he did not reposition the helicopter directly into the wind while it was on the ground, as he felt the wind was not that strong. During takeoff, as the helicopter lifted off the ground and into a hover, the pilot started a right turn to position the helicopter into the wind. The helicopter drifted left of the landing pad area and the pilot recalled the helicopter spinning to the right faster than he had anticipated and he counteracted by adding additional power and left pedal to slow the rate of turn. As the helicopter was in the turn, he heard the low rpm warning and the low rotor rpm warning light illuminated. The pilot then attempted to enter a hover autorotation; however, the helicopter did not make the landing pad. The helicopter touched down on the slope of the hill and rolled over. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident.

Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he and two passengers traveled to a friend's private residence in the accident helicopter and landed on a hill with a slope. They were at the residence for a few hours before they got back in the helicopter to travel home. During their visit, the wind direction had become variable and produced a tailwind to the parking position of the helicopter. The pilot stated that prior to takeoff he did not reposition the helicopter directly into the wind while it was on the ground, as he felt the wind was not that strong. During takeoff, as the helicopter lifted off the ground and into a hover, the pilot started a right turn to position the helicopter into the wind. The helicopter drifted left of the landing pad area and the pilot recalled the helicopter spinning to the right faster than he had anticipated and he counteracted by adding additional power and left pedal to slow the rate of turn. As the helicopter was in the turn, he heard the low rpm warning and the low rotor rpm warning light illuminated. The pilot then attempted to enter a hover autorotation; however, the helicopter did not make the landing pad. The helicopter touched down on the slope of the hill and rolled over. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident.

Aircraft

Registration
N688SS
Reported as
Robinson R44 (UNDESIGNAT)
Category
Helicopter
Serial number
0861
Airframe hours
2,127
Engine
Textron Lycoming O-540-F1B5, 225 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Twin Air
Registered owner
Sierra Sierra Helicopters Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
100 hour · November 11, 2009 · 100 hours before
Departed
Temecula, CA
Destination
FUL · Fullerton, CA
Airport
PVT · Private Helipad

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
53
Injuries
None
Certificates
Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
February 4, 2009
Flight hours
1,866 total · 52 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Visibility
50 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
70 °F
Altimeter
30.14 inHg

Docket · 3

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 1, 2010, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.8 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.