Accident Details
On May 27, 2012, at 0630 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company model R44 II, registration N1UB, was substantially damaged while hover-taxiing at Mount Hawley Auxiliary Airport (3MY) in Peoria, Illinois. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Green Aircraft Leasing, Inc., under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight to Joliet, Illinois, which was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot and two passengers were not injured.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he was repositioning the helicopter from the fixed-base operator ramp area to the airport's north/south taxiway for a southerly departure. After hover-taxiing about 30 yards to the east-northeast, he made a left turn toward north. During this turn, the pilot stated, the helicopter encountered a wind gust that elevated the tail boom to the point where the forward portion of the landing skids contacted the tarmac. The pilot lowered the collective in response to the loss of control, resulting in a hard landing. The tail boom, tail rotor, and main rotor impacted the tarmac during the hard landing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Information
The closest weather observation station was at General Downing - Peoria International Airport (KPIA), about 8 miles south-southwest of the accident site. At 0654, KPIA reported wind 190 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 23°C, dew point 18°C, and altimeter setting 29.97 inches of mercury. One-minute wind data from 0630 to 0635 showed winds from 188-193 degrees at 5 knots with peak winds from 187-195 degrees at 5-7 knots. A postaccident review of available wind data did not reveal any wind gusts during the one-hour period surrounding the accident.