ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 265551
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| Date: | Friday 16 July 2021 |
| Time: | 12:20 |
| Type: |  Robinson R44 Raven II |
| Owner/operator: | Tomkat Aviation |
| Registration: | N512RT |
| MSN: | 11465 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2006 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 2645 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Princeton, KY -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | Princeton, KY |
| Princeton, KY | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On July 16, 2021, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44, N512RT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Princeton, Kentucky. The commercial pilot received serious injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.
Before takeoff to spray a nearby cornfield, the helicopter was filled with about 50 gallons of spraying solution and a passenger was onboard to assist the pilot with the navigation system. According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff, the low rotor rpm warning light illuminated, and the helicopter “just wouldn’t fly.” The pilot was unable to stay aloft and made a hard landing in a field.
An examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the airframe and partial separation of the tail boom. Examination of the engine and its components revealed no anomalies that would have resulted in a loss of power.
The helicopter’s estimated takeoff weight was 2,641.4 lbs., which was 141.4 lbs. over its maximum gross weight of 2,500 lbs. After the accident, the pilot told his spouse that he knew the helicopter was “barely overweight but felt it would be fine.” Given that no mechanical anomalies were found, it is likely that the loss of rotor rpm was the result of operating the helicopter in an overweight condition.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning in that he failed to accurately determine the takeoff weight of the helicopter, which resulted in exceeding the helicopter’s maximum weight capability.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://www.wnky.com/helicopter-crashes-in-butler-county/
https://www.wbko.com/2021/07/16/butler-county-helicopter-crash-1-person-flown-vanderbilt/
NTSB
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=512RT
Location
Images:
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Jul-2021 23:09 | Geno | Added |
| 17-Jul-2021 04:26 | RobertMB | Updated [Time, Operator, Location, Phase, Nature, Source, Damage, Narrative] |
| 19-Jul-2021 17:12 | harro | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Nature, Source, Damage, Narrative] |
| 20-Jul-2021 00:08 | Captain Adam | Updated [Location, Phase, Nature, Narrative] |
| 20-Jul-2021 06:25 | Anon. | Updated [Phase, Nature, Source, Narrative, Category] |
| 27-Jul-2023 09:19 | Captain Adam | Updated [[Phase, Nature, Source, Narrative, Category]] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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