Summary
On February 14, 2014, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II (N494SH) was involved in an incident near Bonham, TX. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate recovery from a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during a low altitude downwind hover in a gusty wind condition resulting in the helicopter contacting the ground and rolling over.
The pilot flew locally about 40 minutes on an aerial observation flight. He reported that the helicopter was positioned upwind when he began flying crosswind over a tree line and it descended to between 10 to 15 feet above the ground. The pilot stopped the helicopter's descent and forward speed to make a left pedal turn. While in a stabilized and "stationary" downwind hover for about two to three seconds, the helicopter suddenly pitched forward without cyclic input and it started to move forward and descend. For about one to two seconds the helicopter continued to accelerate forward while losing more altitude. The pilot was unable to stop the helicopter's forward movement with neither full aft cyclic nor the descent by adding power to the engine's red line.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN14CA142. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N494SH.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate recovery from a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during a low altitude downwind hover in a gusty wind condition resulting in the helicopter contacting the ground and rolling over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot flew locally about 40 minutes on an aerial observation flight. He reported that the helicopter was positioned upwind when he began flying crosswind over a tree line and it descended to between 10 to 15 feet above the ground. The pilot stopped the helicopter's descent and forward speed to make a left pedal turn. While in a stabilized and "stationary" downwind hover for about two to three seconds, the helicopter suddenly pitched forward without cyclic input and it started to move forward and descend. For about one to two seconds the helicopter continued to accelerate forward while losing more altitude. The pilot was unable to stop the helicopter's forward movement with neither full aft cyclic nor the descent by adding power to the engine's red line. He decided to make a right turn into the wind with right pedal and cyclic where further altitude was lost. The front of the right skid came in contact with the ground and the helicopter settled onto its right side after the main rotor struck the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial tail boom damage. The pilot indicated that the helicopter was within weight and balance limits and that there was no mechanical malfunctions during the accident flight.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN14CA142