Robinson R44 N7528Z

Summary

On 12 March 2006 at about 17:20 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N7528Z was involved in an accident near Ilimana, Alaska, United States. 2 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

12 March 2006 at 17:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Ilimana, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

59.8000, -155.3189

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N7528Z

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Iliamna → Ilimana

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC06LA025

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions, and his spatial disorientation and loss of control during a subsequent landing attempt. Factors associated with the accident are flat light and whiteout conditions, fog, and snow-covered terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial helicopter pilot was flying one passenger on an on-demand, Title 14, CFR Part 135 air taxi flight to a remote site in an area surrounded by snow-covered, flat, featureless terrain. Low fog, reduced visibility, and flat light conditions reduced his ability to discern a horizon or terrain. He said that the visibility deteriorated to about 1 or 2 miles, and he was unable to discern any topographic features on the snow-covered terrain, and he elected to make a precautionary landing to wait for better visibility. After about 10 minutes, he decided to continue to his destination. Just after takeoff, flat light conditions again reduced his ability to recognize any topographical features on the snow-covered terrain. He reported that while he was attempting to establish a stable hover, and erroneously believing that the helicopter was not moving, the helicopter's right skid struck the snow-covered terrain. The helicopter rolled to the right, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. As the main rotor blades struck the ground, the helicopter rolled onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom assembly, and the main and tail rotor drive systems. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.