ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
Sandusky, MI — July 15, 2015
Event Information
| Date | July 15, 2015 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA15CA227 |
| Event ID | 20150818X05655 |
| Location | Sandusky, MI |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 43.42056, -82.87750 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | ROBINSON HELICOPTER |
| Model | R44 |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to monitor the landing environment while operating in a confined off-airport site resulting in a wire strike and substantial damage to the helicopter.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that after landing at a remote off-airport site, he was informed by the site owner that the helicopter had collided with a wire during the landing approach. The pilot stated that "I didn't feel anything" when the owner of the field informed him that he struck the wires. The pilot reported that prior to departing on the next leg of his flight he performed a preflight inspection and found a "slight scratch on the tail rotor". The pilot stated that, "the helicopter sounded and felt okay" during the pre-takeoff run-up, and he departed for his home where the helicopter is stored. A post-accident inspection revealed that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive system.
The pilot stated that there were no pre-accident malfunctions or anomalies that would have prevented normal flight operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.