Robinson R44 II N4204A

Summary

On 26 November 2012 at about 07:08 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N4204A, operated by LAW Offices of James C Bechler PC, was involved in an accident near Corona, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 November 2012 at 07:08

Classification

Accident

Location

Corona, California, United States

Nearest airport

Corona (AJO)

Coordinates

33.8978, -117.6025

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N4204A

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2009

Engines

1

Operator

LAW Offices of James C Bechler PC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Corona → Fullerton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

WPR13FA054

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the helicopter’s main rotor blades and the metal canopy of a fuel island.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot had positioned the helicopter facing toward a fuel island and had added about 40 gallons of fuel. A review of a security video showed that the helicopter cabin was partially under a circular metal canopy that covered the island. After fueling and while still under the canopy, the helicopter lifted off, and the pilot immediately made a right turn. After turning nearly 180 degrees, the helicopter pitched forward, and the tail and main rotor blades rose and contacted the metal canopy. The helicopter then began to flail while turning and subsequently came to rest after turning 180 degrees back to its original direction. Several seconds later, a fire and explosion occurred. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. An review of the autopsy report revealed that the pilot's death was caused by thermal-related injuries and that he most likely would have survived the accident if no fire had occurred. The helicopter manufacturer issued several service bulletins advising owners to retrofit R44 all-aluminum fuel tanks with bladder-type tanks to improve the R44 fuel system's resistance to a postaccident fuel leak and the potential for a subsequent fire. The helicopter had not been retrofitted with these modifications. The NTSB has issued Safety Recommendation A-14-1 to the Federal Aviation Administration to require the retrofit.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.