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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 5, 2015 · Robinson Helicopter R44 Undesignat · N442RP

Parkston, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 5, 2015
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Parkston, SD
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R44 Undesignat (2002)
Tail Number
N442RP
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN16LA006

The commercial pilot landed the helicopter adjacent to a building and intended to shut down the engine to install the spray system, which was located on a trailer parked next to the helicopter; however, he was then asked to give a ride to 3 company employees. As the helicopter lifted off with the passengers onboard, the pilot reported that a tailwind pushed the helicopter forward and into the trailer and the adjacent building, and that he "did not have time to recover." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation and stated that a "less confined" takeoff location "would have been preferred." Given the confined location of the takeoff, it is likely that the pilot did not have adequate space to compensate for the tailwind condition experienced during the takeoff, which resulted in collision with obstacles.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s decision to take off from a confined area and his failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during the takeoff, which resulted in collision with obstacles.

Full Narrative

On October 5, 2015, about 0910 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N442RP, impacted a building during takeoff from a private landing area near Parkston, South Dakota. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger received serious injuries. The two additional passengers were not injured, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was registered to Woodley Aerial Leasing LLC and operated by Woodley Aerial Spraying Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and an instrument flight plan was not filed. The pilot stated that when he landed he left some distance between the helicopter and the adjacent building, with the tailboom pointed away from the building. The load truck with trailer was then parked between the helicopter and the building. He expected to "shut down the helicopter so the spray system could be installed." However, before he helicopter was shutdown, the owner asked the pilot to give 3 passengers a ride. The passengers boarded the helicopter and the pilot proceeded to depart. The pilot reported that as soon as the helicopter lifted, a tailwind gust pushed the helicopter forward. He added that it happened so fast, he did not have time to recover and the helicopter impacted the load trailer and side of the adjacent building. The closest weather reporting station located at the Mitchell Municipal Airport, South Dakota, about 24 miles north of the accident site, recorded wind from 170 degrees at 7 kts. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:10 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R44 Undesignat
Tail NumberN442RP
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540F1 SERIE · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class · Serious
Crew 2Serious
Crew 3Minor
Crew 4Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 46
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data