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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 28, 2004 · Robinson R44 · N315SG

Wildwood, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 28, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wildwood, NJ
Aircraft
Robinson R44
Tail Number
N315SG
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC04CA199

As the helicopter was being set down onto a dolly during the hours of darkness, it felt unstable, and the pilot elected to abort the landing. As the pilot raised the collective, the helicopter lurched forward and began to spin to the left. The pilot lowered the collective, reduced the throttle, and the helicopter touched down hard onto the ground, spreading the landing skids. Inspection of the dolly, and the landing skids on the helicopter, revealed that the rear portion of the left skid became stuck under metal framework, which was exposed in an open area near the center section of the dolly.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout while conducting a nighttime landing to a dolly, which resulted in a stuck skid, and subsequent hard landing. A factor was the nighttime conditions.

Full Narrative

On August 27, 2004, at 2150 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44, N315SG, was substantially damaged landing at the Cape May County Airport (WWD), Wildwood, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, as he was setting the helicopter down onto a dolly, it felt unstable, and he elected to abort the landing. As the pilot raised the collective, the helicopter lurched forward and began to spin to the left. The pilot lowered the collective, reduced the throttle, and the helicopter touched down hard onto the ground, spreading the landing skids. Inspection of the dolly, and the landing skids on the helicopter, revealed that the rear portion of the left skid became stuck under metal framework, which was exposed in an open area near the center section of the dolly. Inspection of the helicopter revealed that the main rotor blade severed the tail cone and damaged the tail rotor system.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:50 EDT
Nearest AirportCape May County Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R44
Tail NumberN315SG
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind190° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time01:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data