Sikorsky S-76B crashes during approach in Constanza

Casualties unknown • DO

A Sikorsky S-76B helicopter crashed at a private helipad in the Dominican Republic after the pilot encountered a loss of lift during a steep approach.

What happened

On April 27, 2013, at approximately 10:15 a.m., a Sikorsky S-76B helicopter, registration N305SJ, was performing a private flight from Santo Domingo to the Rancho Guaraguao helipad in Constanza, La Vega. During the final approach, the aircraft experienced a loss of lift and struck the edge of the helipad, resulting in the aircraft flipping onto its back.

While the pilot and six passengers on board escaped without injury, a person on the ground, located approximately 115 meters from the landing site, sustained serious injuries caused by debris from the main rotor blades. The impact caused extensive damage to the aircraft, including the separation of the main and tail rotors, structural deformation of the fuselage and vertical stabilizer, and a small fire in the number one engine that was extinguished by the onboard fire extinguisher.

The investigation

The CIAA investigation focused on the flight profile and the pilot's experience. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating near its maximum weight limit, with a total weight of approximately 11,000 lbs and a center of gravity near the aft limit.

Investigators determined that the pilot bypassed standard high-altitude landing procedures. Rather than performing a reconnaissance pass to test power availability for a hover, the pilot attempted a direct approach characterized by a sharp turn and a steep descent. This maneuver induced a condition known as "power settling" (vortex ring state), where the helicopter descends into its own downwash, causing a rapid and uncontrolled loss of altitude.

Findings

  • The pilot had only 20 hours of flight experience in this specific aircraft type.
  • The pilot lacked formal transition training, having only completed a 5-hour transition required by insurance.
  • The pilot failed to recognize the onset of power settling during the steep approach, attempting to increase power which inadvertently worsened the aerodynamic condition.
  • The aircraft was operating at a high density altitude of 5,805 feet with a heavy load.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the accident was human error, specifically the pilot's lack of sufficient type-specific training and experience, which led to an inability to recognize and recover from the power settling condition during a high-altitude, heavy-weight approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2013-04-27 aircraft accident near DO?

A Sikorsky S-76B helicopter crashed at a private helipad in the Dominican Republic after the pilot encountered a loss of lift during a steep approach.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2013-04-27 involved a aircraft, registration N-305, at DO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the accident was human error, specifically the pilot's lack of sufficient type-specific training and experience, which led to an inability to recognize and recover from the power settling condition during a high-altitude, heavy-weight approach.

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