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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 14, 2012 · Robinson Helicopter R44 II · N556MM

Red Oak, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 14, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Red Oak, IA
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R44 II
Tail Number
N556MM
Operator
Johnson Helicopter Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA443

The pilot reported that he was unable to activate the motorized spray system after arriving at the field to be sprayed. He returned to the departure location in order to troubleshoot the inoperative spray system. As he maneuvered the helicopter to land next to a ground-support vehicle, the main rotor system impacted a landing platform installed on top of the vehicle. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. The wind near the time of the accident was reported as calm. In the absence of any mechanical malfunctions or adverse atmospheric conditions, the pilot should have been able to maintain proper distance from the known obstacle.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Ground vehicle-Response/compensation - C

Full Narrative

On July 14, 2012, at 1750 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company model R44 II, N556MM, was substantially damaged when it impacted a ground-support vehicle while landing near Red Oak, Iowa. The commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Johnson Helicopter Services LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial-application flight that originated from an agricultural field near Red Oak, Iowa, about 1745. The pilot reported that after takeoff he was unable to activate the motorized spray system after arriving at the field to be sprayed. He returned to the departure location in order to troubleshoot the inoperative spray system. As he maneuvered the helicopter to land next to a ground-support vehicle, the main rotor system impacted a landing platform installed on top of the vehicle. The pilot reported that after the impact there was a vibration throughout the helicopter and elevated cyclic stick pressures. The main rotor system, tail boom, and fuselage were damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. The closest weather observing station was at Red Oak Municipal Airport (KRDK), located about 5 miles south of the accident site. At 1755, the KRDK automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: calm wind, visibility 10 miles, temperature 33 degrees Celsius, dew point 22 degrees Celsius, altimeter setting 29.97 inches of mercury. The sky condition was not reported.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:50 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R44 II
Tail NumberN556MM
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohnson Helicopter Services
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-AE1A5 · Reciprocating · 245
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data