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NTSB Report

July 28, 2004 · Robinson Helicopter R44 II · N442RD

Goldsboro, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 28, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Goldsboro, NC
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R44 II
Tail Number
N442RD
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04LA155

According to the pilot, he executed a landing on a concrete helipad that was elevated approximately six inches above the ground. He stated the helicopter touched down slightly off center, and he attempted to reposition the helicopter on the pad. The pilot stated that, during repositioning, the rear of the skids went off the rear of the pad, the helicopter tilted backward, and the tail rotor struck the ground. Examination of the accident site revealed the concrete helipad was approximately 13 feet long and 13 feet wide, and the width between the helicopter's skids was seven feet. Examination of the helicopter revealed the ninety-degree gearbox was separated, the tail rotor was separated and fragmented, and the lower portion of the vertical fin was crushed. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the helicopter.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point during landing on a helipad with an exposed edge, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.

Full Narrative

On July 28, 2004, about 0730 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44 II, N442RD, registered to Carolina Kidney, Inc., and operated by the private pilot, collided with the ground during landing at a private residential helipad in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot reported no injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Emerald Isle, North Carolina, about 0700 on July 28, 2004. According to the pilot, he executed a landing on a concrete helipad that was elevated approximately six inches above the ground. He stated the helicopter touched down slightly off center, and he attempted to reposition the helicopter on the pad. The pilot stated that, during repositioning, the rear of the skids went off the rear of the pad, the helicopter tilted backward, and the tail rotor struck the ground. Examination of the accident site revealed the concrete helipad was approximately 13 feet long and 13 feet wide, and the width between the helicopter's skids was seven feet. Examination of the helicopter revealed the ninety-degree gearbox was separated, the tail rotor was separated and fragmented, and the lower portion of the vertical fin was crushed. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the helicopter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 EDT
Nearest AirportGoldsboro - Private Helipad (0nm)
Runway Length13 ft
Runway Width13 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R44 II
Tail NumberN442RD
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 · Reciprocating · 245
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 3 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time12:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data