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February 1, 2009 · Robinson Helicopter R44 II · N944U

Bountiful, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 1, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Bountiful, UT
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R44 II
Tail Number
N944U
Operator
Upper Limit Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR09CA105

While en route to her destination, the pilot elected to fly the helicopter up a canyon toward rising terrain. Soon after making a low pass over a ridge above 8,000 feet mean sea level, the pilot increased collective in order to climb over upcoming higher terrain. As the collective was increased, the rotor rpm started to drop. The pilot immediately increased throttle, reversed course to fly downhill, and lowered the collective. During the turn, the helicopter encountered a quartering tailwind and began to settle toward the snow-covered down-sloping terrain. Soon thereafter the helicopter contacted the terrain, bounced back into the air, and a main rotor blade severed the tail boom. The helicopter rotated 180 degrees, impacted the terrain, and rolled over. According to the pilot there was no evidence of an engine power loss or any anomaly with the flight control system.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper decision to fly at low altitude while maneuvering in mountainous terrain in a canyon and inadvertently exceeding the climb capability of the helicopter. Contributing to the accident were a high density altitude, mountainous terrain, and a tailwind encountered during the attempted course reversal.

Full Narrative

While en route to her destination, the pilot elected to fly the helicopter up a canyon toward rising terrain. Soon after making a "low pass" over a ridge above 8,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), the pilot increased collective in order to climb over upcoming terrain. As the collective was increased, the rotor RPM started to drop. The pilot immediately increased throttle, reversed course to fly downhill, and lowered the collective. During the turn, the helicopter encountered a quartering tailwind and began to settle toward the snow-covered terrain. Soon thereafter the helicopter contacted the terrain, but bounced back into the air. Immediately thereafter a main rotor blade severed the tail boom, and the helicopter impacted the terrain. According to the pilot, there was no evidence of an engine power loss or any anomaly with the flight control system.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R44 II
Tail NumberN944U
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUpper Limit Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-AE1A5 · Reciprocating · 205
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 21 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data