Robinson R44 II N442FG

Summary

On 12 April 2013 at about 15:00 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N442FG, operated by Oregon Roses Inc, was involved in an accident near Ocean Shores, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 April 2013 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Ocean Shores, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Hogan's Corner Airport (5WA8)

Coordinates

47.0428, -124.1456

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N442FG

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Oregon Roses Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Forest Grove → Ocean Shores

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13LA188

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilots’ loss of helicopter control during the approach to landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During most of the flight, the right-seat pilot was the flying-pilot. As the flight approached the destination airport, the left-seat pilot assumed authority of the helicopter's flight controls and noted that the wind was calm. The pilot then maneuvered the helicopter from about 20 ft above ground level toward the intended touchdown zone. The pilot subsequently lost control of the helicopter; he stated that the flight controls felt "mushy" and unresponsive. The other pilot unsuccessfully attempted to help him regain control, and the helicopter subsequently descended near-vertically and landed hard. An examination of the hydraulic servos, reservoir, and pump and the flight control system revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.