Accident Summary
On September 28, 2019, about 1035 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, registration N21EH, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground while taxiing at Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport (SFM), Sanford, Maine. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted as a solo instructional flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter had originated from Laconia Municipal Airport (LCI), Laconia, New Hampshire, about 1000.
Witness Observations
A witness reported that the helicopter was taxiing about 15 ft above a taxiway when it began to spin at a high rate of speed. The helicopter then went vertical and crashed nose first in the grass adjacent to the paved surface. Another witness observed the helicopter enter a spin to the left, then to the right before going vertical into the ground. A third witness stated that the weather was "clear but windy." First responders met the witnesses and assisted the pilot at the scene.
Examination
An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. Substantial damage was noted on the main rotor blades, tail rotor assembly, and fuselage. No fire occurred. The inspector reported that the pilot was completing a three-leg cross-country flight when the accident happened. The pilot was receiving instruction on the R44 and was not rated in helicopters. The pilot was asked on two occasions during recovery about the circumstances but had no recollection of the event.
The wreckage was recovered to a storage facility for further examination. The nose of the helicopter was crushed in a manner consistent with a nose-low impact with the ground. The tail boom was partially separated from the airframe. The engine was secured to the airframe. The main rotor system remained attached, and both blades were impact-damaged along their length. Flight control continuity was established from the main and tail rotor assemblies to the cockpit. Both tail rotor blades remained attached to the tail rotor system.
The engine received minor damage during the accident sequence and was test run on the airframe. It started immediately and operated for about 1 minute before being shut down. No mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe or engine.
Operational Information
At 1056, the recorded wind at SFM was variable at 4 knots. However, witnesses reported that at the time of the accident, the wind had "picked up" and there were "gusts."