ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Bountiful, UT — February 1, 2009
Event Information
| Date | February 1, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR09CA105 |
| Event ID | 20090201X30126 |
| Location | Bountiful, UT |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 41.23167, -111.80556 |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY |
| Model | R44 II |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 3 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's improper decision to fly at low altitude while maneuvering in mountainous terrain in a canyon and inadvertently exceeding the climb capability of the helicopter. Contributing to the accident were a high density altitude, mountainous terrain, and a tailwind encountered during the attempted course reversal.
Full Narrative
While en route to her destination, the pilot elected to fly the helicopter up a canyon toward rising terrain. Soon after making a "low pass" over a ridge above 8,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), the pilot increased collective in order to climb over upcoming terrain. As the collective was increased, the rotor RPM started to drop. The pilot immediately increased throttle, reversed course to fly downhill, and lowered the collective. During the turn, the helicopter encountered a quartering tailwind and began to settle toward the snow-covered terrain. Soon thereafter the helicopter contacted the terrain, but bounced back into the air. Immediately thereafter a main rotor blade severed the tail boom, and the helicopter impacted the terrain. According to the pilot, there was no evidence of an engine power loss or any anomaly with the flight control system.
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.