# NTSB WPR22LA329: Robinson Helicopter R44 Clipper 1, N240RM, Deadhorse, AK, August 26, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 26, 2022, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Deadhorse, AK · 12nm NE of the Toolik Field Station - Coordinates: 68.690654, -149.08972 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.6907&lon=-149.0897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - 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: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 105841 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA329 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105841/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105841 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA329 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during a descent, which 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, 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) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, he set-up for an approach over hilly terrain with a strong tailwind. Descending on a left base the helicopter began to drift due to the wind, so the pilot added collective pitch to control the descent rate however, the helicopter rapidly descended despite the control input. The pilot initiated a run-on landing to the unimproved featureless tundra that appeared level. Upon ground contact the helicopter dynamically rolled over 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: [N240RM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N240RM), registered now, S/N 1090, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 Clipper 1 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540F1 SERIE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540f1-serie) (registry code 41531, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1090 - Year built: 2001 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 135 - Operator: Pollux Aviation Ltd - Registered owner: Pollux Aviation Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 15, 2022 - Departed: AA14, Toolik Field Station, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 16, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 620 in this make and model, 2,850 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 42.7 in the last 30 days, 3.1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: PASC, 10 nm away - METAR: PASC 261953Z 19005KT 10SM BKN070 16/08 A2945 RMK AO2 SLP973 T01610083 $ ## 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 20220826008309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220826008309A), Aug 26, 2022: Robinson Helicopter R44, Deadhorse, AK, Substantial damage. Setting up for the approach, the pilot detected a strong tailwind while on downwind, but not strong enough to be alarmed. The terrain was hilly and the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105841. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14678609&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20WPR22LA329%202_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 829 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14678492&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20WPR22LA329-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.