29 Nov 2017: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II

29 Nov 2017: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II — Unknown operator

No fatalities • New Orleans, LA, United States

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to land the helicopter with both skids on the trailer platform, which resulted in a loss of control.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, while positioning the helicopter on a trailer for maintenance, the helicopter landed on the trailer with the left skid off the platform and the tail rotor struck the ground. The pilot added that the helicopter climbed about 50 ft. and he reduced power. During the descent, the main rotor blade struck the tail boom and the helicopter impacted the pavement.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

cause Pilot
cause Performance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained
Effect on operation

Conditions

Weather: VMC, wind 100/08kt, vis 7sm

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