# NTSB WPR20CA197: Robinson R44, N7530B, Pioche, NV, June 28, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 27, 2020, 17:45 local (Jun 28, 2020, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Pioche, NV - Coordinates: 37.981109, -114.604721 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9811&lon=-114.6047&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101499 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101499/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101499 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA197 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to fly at low level over mountainous terrain and his inability to recover when the helicopter encountered a downdraft that resulted in a collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); 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) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 of the helicopter was flying over mountainous terrain, about 500 ft agl, with moderate wind and turbulence conditions. After he slowed the helicopter to 60-70 knots it suddenly and uncontrollably descended at a rapid rate in a severe downdraft. The pilot maneuvered toward lower terrain to accelerate but was unable to arrest the descent before the helicopter collided with the ground tail first. The helicopter fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7530B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7530B-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 10390, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson 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: 10390 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 3421.3 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 2019 - Departed: 1L1, Panaca, NV - Destination: OL2, CALIENTE FLIGHT STRIP, NV - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 21, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,914.3 total, 716 in this make and model, 3,542 as pilot in command, 40.5 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KSGU, 62 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 20200627008549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200627008549A), Jun 27, 2020: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Pioche, NV, Substantial damage. On June 27, 2020, at approximately 1745 PDT, a 2004 Robinson 44 (R44 ii) helicopter sustained substantial damage when it experienced an uncontrollable descent… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101499. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10067879&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's initial statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10067897&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Initial%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10067367&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.