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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 19, 1999 · Robinson R-44 · N8364Z

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 19, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Aircraft
Robinson R-44
Tail Number
N8364Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA00LA011

The pilot stated that as he transitioned from hover to landing during the sales demonstration flight, the helicopter bounced 1 to 2 inches after touchdown, and he mistakenly applied right cyclic. The main rotor struck the ground and severed the tail boom, yawing the rotorcraft 180 degrees and damaging the landing skids.

NTSB Probable Cause

The PIC's improper use of cyclic control during landing which resulted in a main rotor strike of the terrain and the rotorcraft's tail boom.

Full Narrative

On October 19, 1999, about 1705 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-44, N8364Z, registered to Heliflight Leasing, Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 sales demonstration flight, sustained a main rotor strike and separation of the tail boom upon landing at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter received substantial damage and the CFI-rated pilot, a private pilot-rated student, and a passenger were not injured. The flight departed the same airport about 1 hour before the accident. According to the pilot-in-command, as he set the helicopter down for final landing, the craft bounced 1 to 2 inches and at the top of the bounce, he mistakenly applied right cyclic. Despite his applying corrective controls, the main rotor collided with the ground and the tail boom. In rapid succession, the nose pivoted 180 degrees, the tail boom was severed, and the landing skids sustained ground collision damage. In subsequent telephone conversations with the NTSB, the pilot stated that there were no contributing factors such as surface winds, propeller or rotor wash, or helicopter control problems, and he would characterize the event as, "..just bad technique".

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:05 EDT
Nearest AirportFt. Lauderdale Executive (1nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-44
Tail NumberN8364Z
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-F1B5 · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:12
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data