What happened
On May 21, 2014, at approximately 18:00 UTC, a Robinson R44 helicopter, registration PR-JAC, was performing a private flight between two farms in the municipality of Itamaraju, Bahia. The flight, which lasted about six minutes, involved a pilot and one passenger.
Upon arriving at the destination, the pilot attempted to land in an open area on top of a hill characterized by low-lying vegetation and small, isolated shrubs. Because the pilot was unfamiliar with this specific landing site, the initial touchdown resulted in the aircraft failing to stabilize properly, as it exhibited a tendency to tilt backward and to the left.
Seeking a more stable surface, the pilot decided to take off again to locate an alternative landing spot. During this second takeoff attempt, the front section of the right landing skid became entangled in the low vegetation. This snag caused the helicopter to overturn to the right. Following the rollover, the main rotor blades broke, and the engine continued to run. As the pilot attempted to shut down the engine, an explosion and subsequent fire occurred. The fire consumed nearly the entire aircraft, leaving only the tail cone and rotor assembly intact. Both occupants managed to evacuate the aircraft immediately before the explosion and were uninjured.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation established that the pilot was properly licensed and held valid medical certification. The aircraft's maintenance records, including engine and airframe logs, were up to date, and the helicopter was within weight and balance limits.
Investigators focused on the landing site selection and the execution of the takeoff. The investigation noted that the landing was performed in an uncertified location. Specifically, the pilot failed to adhere to safety requirements regarding operations in non-standard landing sites, which mandate that the operator must take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the aircraft, its occupants, and third parties.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning
- Lack of managerial supervision
- Flight indiscipline regarding safety protocols for landing in uncertified areas