Robinson R44 N4504L

Summary

On 8 June 2019 at about 17:59 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N4504L, operated by Scott, Kyle, was involved in an accident near Last Chance, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and one 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

8 June 2019 at 17:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Last Chance, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

39.7875, -103.7706

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N4504L

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2011

Engines

1

Operator

Scott, Kyle

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Last Chance → Last Chance

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN19LA162

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while descending with a tailwind during an aerial application maneuver, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot was performing an agricultural application flight. He approached the field from the east and completed a survey of the area that he intended to spray about 100 ft above ground level (agl). After maneuvering around the area, he decided to complete the east-west spray passes on the south side of the field and work north in order to have a crosswind during the passes. While flying east about 100 ft and 50 knots, he initiated a right turn, and the helicopter descended. As the helicopter continued the right turn and passed through a southwest heading, the gusting wind from the northeast resulted in a tailwind condition. During the descent with full throttle applied, the main rotor rpm began to decrease. The pilot lowered the collective and pitched forward to gain airspeed, but the main rotor rpm continued to decrease. About 50 ft agl, he started to jettison the spray load and was unable to increase the rotor rpm; the helicopter subsequently impacted the ground and came to rest on its side resulting in substantial damage to the tailboom. A postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of main rotor rpm while descending with a tailwind, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain. 

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.