N4510T

Substantial
None

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 IIS/N: 13085

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, January 21, 2012
NTSB Number
ANC12CA018
Location
Beluga, AK
Event ID
20120124X00309
Coordinates
61.644721, -150.101943
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

Ground personnel's movement of cargo in windy conditions, which allowed a previously secured cargo sack to blow into the main rotor blades.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
Serial Number
13085
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2011
Model / ICAO
R44 IIR44
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
R44 II

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
NORTHSTAR HOLDINGS LLC
Address
3130 BRIDLE LN
City
ANCHORAGE
State / Zip Code
AK 99517-1411
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot landed the helicopter at an off-airport site in windy conditions. While he was performing the engine cool-down portion of the checklist, a worker at the site picked up a storage container that was weighing down an empty cargo sack. When the weight was removed, the sack was picked up by the wind, and it contacted the helicopter's main rotor system, resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor blades.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC12CA018