What happened
On January 29, 2016, a Robinson R44 helicopter, registration PT-HUC, was prepared for a flight from the João Pessoa Aeroclube (SNJO) to Cuitegi, Brazil. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and two passengers. During the taxi phase, the pilot attempted a 180-degree right turn to exit the apron and enter the runway.
As the aircraft reached approximately 90 degrees of the turn, it began to drift forward. In an effort to avoid colliding with another aircraft parked on the apron, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter to the right and forward. This resulted in the landing skid striking the ground with significant force. The impact caused the tail boom to flex toward the main rotor, which subsequently severed the tail cone. Despite the substantial damage to the aircraft, all three occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation established that the pilot was unable to receive real-time weather updates from the nearby Castro Pinto International Airport (SBJP) due to communication obstructions caused by buildings between the two locations. While the pilot was aware of the weather conditions from earlier in the day, he was unaware of a recent special meteorological report (SPECI) indicating wind gusts of up to 32 knots.
Investigators also discovered that the pilot was using a Portuguese-language version of the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) that contained wind speed limitations not present in the manufacturer's official English manual. Specifically, the pilot's manual prohibited flight in winds exceeding 15 knots, a threshold that had been exceeded by the recent gusts. Furthermore, the aircraft was moved from the accident site to a hangar without the required authorization from the investigation authority.
Findings
- The prevailing wind was from the left of the aircraft's initial position, meaning the 180-degree right turn placed the tail of the helicopter into a tailwind condition.
- The pilot's decision-making during the maneuver led to the loss of control and the subsequent ground impact.
- The use of an unapproved, non-homologated operating manual provided incorrect operational limits.
- The pilot's flight planning failed to account for the updated wind conditions reported at the nearby international airport.