# NTSB WPR21LA021: Robinson R44, N500DL, Pahrump, NV, October 16, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 16, 2020, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Pahrump, NV - Coordinates: 36.165812, -115.90381000000001 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1658&lon=-115.9038&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 102178 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102178/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102178 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA021 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while hovering low over a body a water while facing into the sun, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent impact with the lake surface. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/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, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640120), [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. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, he maneuvered the helicopter to a low and slow hover over a recreational lake. The helicopter was facing into the sun, and the sun’s reflection off the water produced a “significant glare.” The pilot lost his visual orientation with the water and sky, and when he realized that he was too low and saw water on the nose bubble, he attempted to increase collective, to increase altitude but was unable to do so. The pilot turned the helicopter on its side to stop the main rotor blades. The helicopter subsequently collided with the water and sank. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main and tail rotor drive systems. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter which would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N500DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N500DL-2022-01-03), registration cancelled 2022-01-03, S/N 1178, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON R44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1178 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 2406.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 225 horsepower reciprocating; ; - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Spring Mountain Raceway LLC - Registered owner: Spring Mountain Raceway LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 2020, 20.2 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 5, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,630 total, 2,129 in this make and model, 3,630 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KDRA, 28 nm away - METAR: KDRA 161653Z AUTO 03015KT 10SM CLR 22/M10 A3025 RMK AO2 PK WND 04026/1601 SLP203 T02171100 ## 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 20201016015599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201016015599A), Oct 16, 2020: Robinson Helicopter R44, Pahrump, NV, Substantial damage. The pilot was hovering low at the edge of the pond to show the passengers a portion of the speedway facilities when he became disoriented because glare off of… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102178. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11665231&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 387 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11666526&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-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.