Robinson R-44 N344AK

Summary

On 16 May 2002 at about 20:30 local time, a Robinson R-44 registered N344AK, operated by U.s. Geological Survey, was involved in an accident near Cantwell, Alaska, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 May 2002 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cantwell, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

63.2700, -149.7655

Aircraft

Robinson R-44

Registration

N344AK

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

U.s. Geological Survey

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McKINLEY PARK → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC02TA035

Nobody was injured.

A failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain adequate main rotor rpm during an out-of-ground-effect hover.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial certificated helicopter pilot was conducting a VFR public use government flight to track caribou. The pilot was maneuvering a helicopter in an attempt to move radio-collared caribou out of an area of trees. Prior to beginning the maneuvering, the pilot said he conducted an out-of-ground-effect hover power check, and was satisfied with the helicopter's available power. He then began an out-of-ground-effect hover near several caribou. The pilot said that when he raised the collective control to move from his hover position, the low rotor annunciator sounded. He said he did not have sufficient power available to climb away from his position, and the helicopter began to settle toward the ground. One of the helicopter landing gear skids settled into low bushes, and the pilot was able to regain sufficient rotor RPM to move to a nearby landing area. After landing, the pilot found that one of the main rotor blades had a tear in the bottom surface of the blade surface. The other main rotor blade had several dents. The pilot determined the helicopter was not flyable. He said he did not feel any rotor contact with the trees.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.