What happened
On March 10, 2016, at approximately 10:45 a.m., a Robinson R66 helicopter, registration HI-986, was performing a short-duration commercial sightseeing flight at the Helidosa Aviation Group helipad in Bávaro, Punta Cana. The flight, which included the pilot and four passengers, had departed only ten minutes prior to the event.
During the landing sequence, the pilot executed a 180-degree left turn from a hover to position the aircraft on a landing platform. During this maneuver, a sudden wind gust caused the tail of the helicopter to lift, triggering a Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness (LTE). As the pilot attempted to correct the resulting instability, the aircraft lost control. In an effort to prevent an uncontrolled spinning motion, the pilot abruptly lowered the collective. This action led to a hard landing, with the aircraft impacting the asphalt surface at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The impact caused the main rotor blades to strike and sever the tail boom, while the left landing skid broke upon contact.
All five occupants (two crew and three passengers) survived the accident without injury.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation examined the pilot's flight records, maintenance history, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators analyzed the aircraft's physical damage, which included a broken landing skid, a deformed nose, a shattered windshield, a broken main transmission base, and the severed tail boom. The investigation also noted that the aircraft wreckage was removed from the site without prior authorization from the investigating authority.
Findings
- Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness (LTE): A wind gust during a low-speed maneuver caused the tail rotor to lose its ability to counteract engine torque.
- Improper Emergency Technique: The pilot failed to follow the manufacturer's established procedures for managing an LTE emergency, instead applying an abrupt collective input that contributed to the loss of control.
- Adverse Weather: High wind gusts were present in the area at the time of the accident, creating unstable flying conditions.
- Pilot Experience: The pilot was a commercial holder with 493 total flight hours, though only 15 hours of experience in the Robinson R66.