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February 6, 2013 · Robinson Helicopter R44 II · N276RC

Tulsa, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 6, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tulsa, OK
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R44 II
Tail Number
N276RC
Operator
Crumpton Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13LA155

After fuel servicing, the line technician did not remove the rubber fueling mat from the fuselage. The pilot did not observe the mat on the fuselage before taking off, most likely due to his inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter. While climbing through 150 feet above ground level, the fueling mat departed the fuselage and impacted the tail rotor, which resulted in the fracture of both tail rotor blades and a loss of tail rotor control. The pilot executed an autorotation landing and landed without further incident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The line technician’s failure to remove the refueling mat from the helicopter fuselage following servicing, which resulted in the mat striking the tail rotor in flight, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.

Full Narrative

On February 6, 2013, about 1750 central standard time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N276RC, executed an autorotation landing after a fueling mat struck the tail rotor at the Tulsa International Airport (TUL), Tulsa, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot was not injured. The tail rotor blades received substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by Crumpton Aviation LLC under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91as a business flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Richard Lloyd Jones Jr. Airport (KRVS), Tulsa, Oklahoma. After fuel servicing by fixed base operator personnel, the pilot lifted off from the ramp area and began a turn to the southwest. Climbing through 150 feet above ground level, the pilot reported a loud bang followed by loss of tail rotor effectiveness. The pilot executed an autorotation landing on a concrete ramp at the airport. During examination of the accident site, two fractured tail rotor blades and a damaged fueling mat were found on a path between the initial liftoff point of the helicopter and its landing location. Examination of the tail rotor blades indicated that damage was consistent with contact by the fueling mat.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:50 CST
Nearest AirportTulsa International Airport (1nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R44 II
Tail NumberN276RC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCrumpton Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-AE1A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind160° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data