N110JC

Substantial
None

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 IIS/N: 13346

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, August 2, 2014
NTSB Number
WPR14CA325
Location
Honolulu, HI
Event ID
20140804X02020
Coordinates
21.349521, -157.879440
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain aircraft control during taxi, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and subsequent impact with the taxiway and a parked fuel truck.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N110JC
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
Serial Number
13346
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2012
Model / ICAO
R44 IIR44
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
JULIET CHARLIE LEASING CORP
Address
95-717 KIPAPA DR APT 23
Status
Deregistered
City
MILILANI
State / Zip Code
HI 96789-1038
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that while air-taxiing east about 15 feet above ground level (agl) to parking with adjoining buildings on both sides, which were known for buffeting winds that made it difficult to control the helicopter's yaw, he encountered a strong gust of wind. The helicopter abruptly yawed to the right and he input left pedal control which did not correct the right yaw. The helicopter continued rotating to the right at an increasing speed; full left pedal had no effect. The pilot stated that the helicopter subsequently completed several 360-degree turns to the right, which rendered it completely uncontrollable; he abruptly lowered the collective from about 8 to 10 feet agl to get the helicopter on the ground. During the descent the helicopter's left skid impacted the center of the taxiway, slid toward a fuel truck, and came to rest on its right side. The main rotor blade impacted a fuel truck's windshield. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and the upper and lower cabin/cockpit structure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR14CA325