# NTSB WPR22LA299: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N987WH, Palmer, AK, August 11, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 10, 2022, 16:20 local (Aug 11, 2022, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.438207, -148.74734 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4382&lon=-148.7473&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 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: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 105721 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA299 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105721/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105721 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA299 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during an off-field landing, which resulted in loss of control and an impact 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: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, he performed an orbit of his intended off-field landing site prior to starting the approach. As he made his final approach to the site, he realized the helicopter was fast and determined that he needed to abort the landing and perform a go-around. However, the helicopter settled, and the low rotor rpm light illuminated, which was accompanied by the low rotor rpm horn. The pilot attempted to add power but could not lower the collective due to his shallow approach and low altitude. As the helicopter touched down on a slope the pilot applied right cyclic, and the helicopter impacted the ground and came to rest on its right side. The fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N987WH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N987WH), registered now, S/N 10551, built 2004 (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-AE1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (registry code 41899, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 10551 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 3113.5 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alpha Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 3, 2022, 21.6 hours before - Departed: Palmer, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 20, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,207 total, 664 in this make and model, 751 as pilot in command, 281 in the last 90 days, 108 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 14 nm away - METAR: PAAQ 110053Z VRB03KT 10SM CLR 20/06 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP140 T02000061 ## 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 20220810007559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220810007559A), Aug 10, 2022: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Contributing factors include power mismanagement with an steep approach angle and inappropriate airspeed too fast to make the intended point of landing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105721. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14312024&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photograph (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14312562&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-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.