Robinson R44 II N62FA

Summary

On 7 July 2017 at about 21:15 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N62FA, operated by JMX Helicopters LLC, was involved in an accident near Pocahontas, Illinois, United States. One person was 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

7 July 2017 at 21:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Pocahontas, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

38.7508, -89.5408

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N62FA

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

JMX Helicopters LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pocahantas → Pocahantas

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA398

Nobody was injured.

The helicopter pilot’s miscommunication with the ground crewmember during reloading operations, which resulted in a takeoff with the filler hose attached to the helicopter and subsequent impact with a truck.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the helicopter was positioned on top of a platform that was located on top of the agricultural chemical truck while he was waiting for the ground crew to reload the helicopter. During the reload, he misinterpreted the ground crew members hand and arm signal and initiated the takeoff. He quickly realized that the filler hose was still attached when the helicopter yawed right and simultaneously banked left. He attempted a right pedal turn to avoid tail rotor contact with the truck, and he tried to position the helicopter as far from the truck as possible. However, when the helicopter descended, the main rotor blades struck the truck, and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive system and the main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.