No fatalities

24 Feb 2018: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 — Talkeetna, AK

Talkeetna, AK, United States

On 24 Feb 2018, a ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 UNDESIGNAT was involved in an aviation accident near Talkeetna, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A helicopter pilot reported that during an off-airport landing on what he believed to be packed snow, the aircraft tipped to the right and sustained substantial damage to the windshield and horizontal stabilizer.

Accident Overview

A helicopter experienced a loss of control during an off-airport landing, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that he intended to land on what he believed to be packed snow.

Pilot Report

According to the pilot, during the touchdown, the helicopter began to tip to the right. He attempted to recover but was unsuccessful. The pilot further stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Damage

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the windshield and the horizontal stabilizer.

Investigation

The investigation did not identify any mechanical issues as contributing to the event. The pilot's account remains the primary source of information regarding the circumstances of the landing.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operationDecision related to condition