What happened
On February 2, 2024, a private pilot was conducting flight training maneuvers at a private property in Nueva Braunau, within the Puerto Varas commune of the Los Lagos Region. The session involved practicing hovering and 360-degree turns. After completing a left-hand turn, the pilot attempted to land the Robinson R44 II on a mobile metal platform used for moving the aircraft into a hangar.
During the touchdown phase, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The right skid made contact with the metal platform, which sat approximately 25 cm higher than the surrounding concrete surface. This caused the aircraft to shift outside the platform's perimeter, initiating a sequence of events that led to a loss of control. The helicopter subsequently struck a work vehicle parked just two meters away from the landing area, causing significant damage to the tail rotor and the vehicle.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the aircraft, the site, and the pilot's records. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid private helicopter license and the aircraft possessed a current airworthiness certificate. Maintenance records were reviewed and found to be in order, with no discrepancies noted in the service history.
Technical analysis of the flight path and the physical evidence at the scene indicated that the aircraft's right skid landed on the elevated edge of the mobile platform. This created an inclined plane that exceeded the aircraft's critical rollover angle. The investigation also reviewed meteorological data, which showed favorable VFR conditions with light winds and no significant weather impediments.
Findings
- The pilot inadvertently allowed the aircraft to drift toward the edge of the elevated mobile platform during the landing phase.
- The contact of the right skid with the elevated platform created a lateral tilt that exceeded the critical rollover angle.
- The resulting dynamic rollover led to a total loss of control.
- The tail rotor struck a vehicle located within two meters of the landing perimeter, causing the tail rotor to fracture and detach.
- The aircraft sustained significant damage, including a deformed vertical stabilizer, broken tail rotor blades, and damage to the landing gear and mast cowling.
- The pilot remained uninjured throughout the event.