Robinson R44 II N32VB

Summary

On 25 April 2014 at about 18:15 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N32VB, operated by Eid-Co, was involved in an accident near Liberty, Missouri, 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

25 April 2014 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Liberty, Missouri, United States

Nearest airport

Roosterville (0N0)

Coordinates

39.2928, -94.4422

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N32VB

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2005

Engines

1

Operator

Eid-Co

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Poplar Bluff → Liberty

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14CA223

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while operating in gusty wind conditions at a low altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Upon arrival at the destination airport, the pilot hovered the helicopter about 2 feet above the ground and prepared to land. The pilot noted that during the hover while the nose of the helicopter was pointed east, the wind shifted direction and gusted from the west. The helicopter's tail section raised and the nose lowered, which allowed the main rotor blades to strike the ground. The helicopter rolled over on its left side and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and fuselage. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the scene; an examination of the helicopter was conducted and did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot noted that if he had kept the helicopter's nose pointed into the wind then the accident might not have occurred.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.