Robinson R44
Nuiqsut, AK — September 6, 2019
Event Information
| Date | September 6, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA531 |
| Event ID | 20190909X84531 |
| Location | Nuiqsut, AK |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 63.88861, -160.79916 |
| Airport | Nuiqsut |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Robinson |
| Model | R44 |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 133 |
| 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 improper decision to land downwind from unsecured debris, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor disk ingesting foreign objects.
Full Narrative
The helicopter pilot reported that, he landed the helicopter facing south and about 30 yards from the empty gravel carrying super sacks. When the skids touched down, the pilot reduced the collective and saw a super sack about 15ft away and coming at the helicopter. The super sack was ingested by the advancing side of the main rotor disk. The pilot rolled off throttle and shut down the engine.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades.
The pilot reported that the wind at the accident site was from the southwest about 15 knots.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal 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.