# NTSB WPR23LA170: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N549TS, Van Nuys, CA, April 28, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 28, 2023, 15:26 local (22:26 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA · Van Nuys Airport
- Coordinates: 34.209806, -118.48997
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2098&lon=-118.4900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 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): 107165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/107165/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA170

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); 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)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; 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)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); 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)
- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while picking up to reposition, the helicopter initiated a roll to the left. While attempting to recover, the helicopter impacted the ground and the left skid collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the tail rotor. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N549TS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N549TS), registered now, S/N 11075, built 2006 (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: 11075
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 1478.7
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aggregate Material Services LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 18, 2023, 33 hours before
- Departed: KVNY, Van Nuys, CA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: KVNY, Van Nuys Airport
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 600 total, 600 in this make and model
- Flight instructor; age 59; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 10, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,112 total, 269 in this make and model, 2,065 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 312 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: KVNY
- METAR: METAR KVNY 282251Z 14008KT 10SM CLR 28/12 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP125 T02830122=

## 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 20230428006469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230428006469A), Apr 28, 2023: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. With the [privacy data omitted]student manipulating the controls and the pic/cfi observing throughout. After just landing on the runway 34 run-up area. The…

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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