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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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June 21, 2019 · Robinson R44 II · N445AP

La Ward, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 21, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
La Ward, TX
Aircraft
Robinson R44 II (2007)
Tail Number
N445AP
Operator
Farm & Ranch Helicopter Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN19TA178

The pilot was conducting helicopter aerial applications to a field and had just reversed course when he felt the helicopter start to descend. The pilot added power, "rolled the throttle all the way on," and increased collective and the descent continued. The pilot flared the helicopter and before it impacted the ground, the helicopter rolled and came to rest in a field, resulting in substantial damage. It is likely that the pilot lost control of the helicopter during the turn, resulting in the unexpected descent. Because the helicopter was at low altitude, the pilot did not have time to arrest the descent before impacting the ground. Postaccident examination found no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during a course reversal, which resulted in impact with terrain.

Full Narrative

On June 21, 2019, about 1215 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N445AP, was substantially damaged when it impacted a field near La Ward, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. The aerial application flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight. According to the pilot, during the aerial application flight to a field he had just reversed his course and was preparing for the next application pass when he felt the helicopter start to descend. The pilot added power and the descent continued. The pilot "rolled the throttle all the way on" and increased collective without a change in the decent rate. As the helicopter descended towards the field it started to shake; the pilot flared the helicopter and before it impacted the ground, the helicopter rolled and then came to rest in the field. According to the FAA inspector who responded to the accident, the tail boom separated from the helicopter, the fuselage was wrinkled, the landing skids collapsed, and the main rotor was impact damaged. He stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R44 II
Tail NumberN445AP
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFarm & Ranch Helicopter Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-AE1A5 · Reciprocating · 205
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 17 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3100 ft
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data