Robinson R44 II N878CB

Summary

On 30 August 2021 at about 21:15 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N878CB, operated by Helicopter Air Alaska LLC, was involved in an accident near Pelican, 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

30 August 2021 at 21:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Pelican, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

58.0903, -136.4133

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N878CB

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Helicopter Air Alaska LLC

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

External Load

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC21LA079

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s improper preflight planning to ensure adequate power to hover out-of-ground effect while conducting external load operations.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was conducting helicopter external sling load operations to a remote mountain top. At the drop off site, while in a hover about 20 ft above the ground, with his attention focused outside to ensure he cleared terrain and obstacles, he felt the helicopter begin to settle. The rpm began to decay, the low rotor rpm light illuminated, and the horn sounded. He immediately lowered the collective, released the cargo and impacted the ground coming to rest on top of the cargo. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the rotor system and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation, and that the accident may have been prevented if he had received additional training from the company to include flying at gross weight with and without external loads. In addition to having pilots check for available power in an out-of-ground effect hover with altitudes and escape routes before committing to the approach.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.