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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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June 20, 2010 · Robinson Helicopter R44 · N333DV

Unalaska, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 20, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Unalaska, AK
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R44
Tail Number
N333DV
Operator
Bering Pacific Ranches
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC10LA053

A ranch employee reported that he and another employee were onboard the helicopter with the pilot when they spotted a bull that had become entangled in plastic wrapping material. Both employees egressed the helicopter in an effort to try to cut the plastic off the animal. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter in an attempt to herd the bull toward them with no success. The pilot then attempted to land the helicopter on a portion of the plastic that was trailing behind the bull, which would aid the employees in being able to approach it. After that was unsuccessful, the pilot tried to knock the bull down with the helicopter. The pilot eventually managed to maneuver the helicopter's right skid under the plastic and began to elevate the bull. As the helicopter moved forward, it moved to the right and impacted the ground, killing the pilot and the bull.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On June 19, 2010, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N333DV, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain about 62 miles southwest of Unalaska, Alaska. The helicopter was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR)other work use flight, in conjunction with a cattle ranch, under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot died in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on June 19, an official for the cattle ranch said another pilot at the ranch told her the helicopter pilot had just dropped off two employees for a cattle count, and upon departure, the helicopter had "caught a skid," and impacted terrain. The employees attempted to render aid to the accident pilot, but she was told the pilot died. The employees reported they did not think there were any problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. In a written statement provided to the NTSB IIC by one of the ranch employees who witnessed the accident, the witness reported that he and another employee were in the helicopter with the pilot, surveying the ranch property, when they spotted a bull that had become entangled in plastic wrapping material. He said he and the other employee got out of the helicopter, and the pilot attempted to herd the bull toward them so they could cut the plastic off. The witness said the bull would not cooperate, and the pilot tried to land on the trailing plastic so they could tackle the bull. The witness also reported that the pilot tried to knock the bull down with the helicopter. He said eventually the pilot got the helicopter's right landing gear skid under the plastic and tried to pick the bull up, but the plastic broke. He said the pilot hooked the skid under the plastic again, but this time the plastic did not break, and as the helicopter lifted the bull off the ground the helicopter moved forward and to the right, and impacted the ground. Due to the remote location, the helicopter was not examined by the NTSB. A postmortem examination of the pilot was conducted under the authority of the Alaska State Medical Examiner, 4500 South Boniface Parkway, Anchorage, Alaska, on June 25, 2010. The examination revealed the cause of death for the pilot was attributed to multiple blunt force injuries. The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) conducted a toxicological examination on August 12, 2010, which detected amounts of Ethanol, Methanol, and N-Propanol. The Ethanol in this case was from sources other than consumption. Ibuprofen was detected in the urine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R44
Tail NumberN333DV
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBering Pacific Ranches
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-F1B5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 17 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 37 C
Altimeter29.86 inHg
Observation Time19:58
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data