N744WT

Substantial
None

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44S/N: 11489

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
NTSB Number
GAA18CA066
Location
New Orleans, LA
Event ID
20171201X51708
Coordinates
30.040000, -90.022499
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to land the helicopter with both skids on the trailer platform, which resulted in a loss of control.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N744WT
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
Serial Number
11489
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2006
Model / ICAO
R44R44
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
NEW ORLEANS HELICOPTERS LLC
Address
1 WREN ST
Status
Deregistered
City
NEW ORLEANS
State / Zip Code
LA 70124-4121
Country
United States

Analysis

The helicopter pilot reported that, while positioning the helicopter on a trailer for maintenance, the helicopter landed on the trailer with the left skid off the platform and the tail rotor struck the ground. The pilot added that the helicopter climbed about 50 ft. and he reduced power. During the descent, the main rotor blade struck the tail boom and the helicopter impacted the pavement.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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# GAA18CA066