No fatalities

Helicopter Rolls Right After Skid Catches on Truck Deck During Lift-Off

Council Bluff, IA, United States

On July 16, 2019, a Robinson R44 II operated by Rotors Llc was involved in an aviation accident near Council Bluff, IA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper cyclic input during liftoff from a landing deck, which resulted in the right skid hooking onto an opening on the landing deck and a subsequent dynamic rollover. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A helicopter pilot reported that the right rear skid hooked into an opening on an industrial truck's landing deck during lift-off, causing a dynamic roll to the right and ground impact. The helicopter sustained substantial damage.

Incident Description

During a lift-off maneuver from a landing deck mounted on top of an industrial truck, a helicopter experienced an unusual dynamic event. According to the pilot, the right rear skid of the helicopter became caught in an opening on the deck surface. This caused the helicopter to roll abruptly to the right before impacting the ground.

Damage

The impact resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter. The main rotor system, tail rotor system, fuselage, and empennage all sustained significant structural harm. The extent of the damage indicates a hard landing following the loss of control.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no pre-existing mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have interfered with normal operation. The incident appears to have been initiated solely by the skid's entanglement with the deck opening during the vertical ascent.

Contributing factors

Lateral/bank control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Jul 2019 Robinson R44 II accident near Council Bluff, IA?

A helicopter pilot reported that the right rear skid hooked into an opening on an industrial truck's landing deck during lift-off, causing a dynamic roll to the right and ground impact. The helicopter sustained substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Jul 2019 Robinson R44 II accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Jul 2019 involved a Robinson R44 II, operated by Rotors Llc, at Council Bluff, IA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's improper cyclic input during liftoff from a landing deck, which resulted in the right skid hooking onto an opening on the landing deck and a subsequent dynamic rollover.