ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 249496
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| Date: | Monday 5 April 2021 |
| Time: | 16:00 LT |
| Type: |  Robinson R44 Astro |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N8348X |
| MSN: | 0332 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1997 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 4039 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-540 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Johnson City, KS -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Johnson, KS |
| Johnson, KS | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot was flying over his wheat fields as the wind was from the south at 10 knots. The pilot transitioned to a hover close to the ground and experienced a sudden unanticipated yaw to the left. The helicopter completed more than one full rotation to the left, then landed hard in the field and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and fuselage. Examination of the helicopter and flight control system did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
The helicopter manufacturer had previously issued a safety notice for unanticipated yaw, which stated in part, 'A pilot's failure to apply proper pedal inputs in response to strong or gusty winds during hover or low-speed flight may result in an unanticipated yaw'¦To avoid unanticipated yaw, pilots should be aware of conditions (a left crosswind, for example) that may require large or rapid pedal inputs.'
Given that the postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact anomalies and the 10-knot wind at the time of the accident, it is likely that the pilot did not apply adequate pedal input to avoid the loss of yaw control while transitioning to a hover.
Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate pedal application during a transition to hover, which resulted in a loss of yaw control and a subsequent impact with terrain.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB CEN21LA184
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N8348X
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 06-Apr-2021 15:18 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 26-Sep-2022 18:58 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Damage, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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