# NTSB WPR12CA431: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N74744, McMinnville, OR, September 20, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 20, 2012, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: McMinnville, OR - Coordinates: 45.194442, -123.136108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1944&lon=-123.1361&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85102 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA431 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85102/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85102 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA431 ## Probable cause The pilot's aggressive takeoff maneuver, which resulted in a loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that after taking two passengers on a sightseeing flight he made an approach and landing to the helipad. However, he was not satisfied with the landing and he lifted the helicopter off the helipad, intending to reposition and re-land the helicopter. After the helicopter became airborne again, it started spinning to the right and pitched up, rising to about 50 feet. The pilot reduced the throttle setting, lowered the collective, and descended. As the helicopter approached the ground, the pilot pulled up again on the collective. The low rotor rpm horn was sounding as they descended. The helicopter impacted the ground in a 30-degree left bank angle, which collapsed the left skid, and the helicopter rolled over on its left side. All occupants egressed through the right cabin door. The pilot said that he may have pulled up too aggressively during his attempt to reposition the helicopter, resulting in the loss of control. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that after taking two other passengers on an hour-long sightseeing flight he made an approach and landing to the helipad. He was not satisfied with the landing and he lifted off the helipad to reposition and re land the helicopter. Once airborne the helicopter started spinning to the right, rising to about 50 feet, and pitching up. He rotated the throttle off, lowered the collective, and as the helicopter approached the ground, he pulled up on the collective. The low rotor rpm horn was sounding as they descended. The helicopter impacted the ground in a 30-degree left angle of bank, collapsing the left skid, and rolled over on its left side. All occupants egressed through the right cabin door. The pilot said that he may have pulled up too aggressively when attempting to reposition the helicopter, precipitating the loss of control. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the helicopter and found no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74744](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74744-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 10900, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY 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: 10900 - Airframe hours: 1396 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harris Robert G - Registered owner: Harris Robert G - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 10, 2012 - Departed: KMMV, McMinnville, OR - Destination: KMMV, McMinnville, OR - Airport: KMMV, McMinnville Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 22, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 6,500 total, 165 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KMMV ## 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 20120920021169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120920021169A), Sep 20, 2012: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Mcminville, OR, Destroyed. Helicopter came in on an initial landing; the pilot said that it was sloppy so he picked it back up (take-off). The helicopter shot straight up to about 30-40… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85102. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 453 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378906&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Helicopter laying on its left side. (item 2, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379220&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Helicopter%20laying%20on%20its%20left%20side.-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation with the Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 245 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381472&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20the%20Pilot-Redacted.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.