Robinson R44 N878CB

Summary

On 10 July 2020 at about 18:30 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N878CB, operated by Helicopter Air Alaska, LLC, was involved in an accident near Ketchikan, Alaska, 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

10 July 2020 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ketchikan, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

55.7669, -131.4169

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N878CB

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Helicopter Air Alaska, LLC

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Neets Bay → Ketchikan

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC20CA068

Nobody was injured.

The crew leader's decision to throw a chainsaw bar into the moving arc of the main rotor blade.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after landing on an elevated helicopter deck and reducing the rotor RPM, he signaled for the brush cutting ground crew leader to approach the helicopter to collect additional chainsaw bars that were being dropped off. He added that, the crew leader indicated that two of the three chainsaw bars were not the correct bars needed, and then threw an incorrect bar away from the helicopter. Subsequently, the bar impacted a main rotor blade, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported that the brush cutting crew had been briefed before operations on gear security, rotor awareness, and safe practices when working around the helicopter. The crew leader admitted to a lapse in judgment brought on by stress and frustration. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.