# NTSB WPR14CA270: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N560LH, Quincy, WA, June 27, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 27, 2014, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Quincy, WA
- Coordinates: 47.216667, -119.833335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2167&lon=-119.8333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89556
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89556/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89556
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA270

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wind generator tower while drying cherries, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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)
- [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while drying cherries, he inadvertently let the main rotor blades strike a wind generator tower. The helicopter became uncontrollable, hit the ground hard, and came to rest in the orchard. The main rotor blades and airframe sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while drying cherries, he inadvertently let the main rotor blades strike a wind generator tower. The helicopter became uncontrollable, hit the ground hard, and came to rest in the orchard. The main rotor blades and airframe sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N560LH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N560LH-2018-02-13), registration cancelled 2018-02-13, S/N 10036, built 2003 (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: 10036
- Year built: 2003
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Vertical Ascent LLC
- Registered owner: Vertical Ascent LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Quincy, WA
- Destination: Quincy, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2013; seat: right; flight hours: 1,835 total, 718 in this make and model, 69 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observed at: KEPH, 17 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 20140627010149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140627010149A), Jun 27, 2014: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Quincy, WA, Substantial damage. N560LH, a Robinson R-44 helicopter received substantial damage as the result of the main rotor striking a wind generator blade during cherry drying operations…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89556. 56 KB in all.

- Record of Conversation FAA (item 1, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420799&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20FAA%20-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.

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