ANSV Investigation of Robinson R44 N-110DD Accident in San Pietro in Cariano (N110DD)

Incident Overview and Investigation Scope On 21 February 2002, at 07:42 UTC (08:42 local time), a Robinson R44 helicopter with registration N-110DD crashed to the ground and caught fire in the locality of Paladon, within the municipality of San Pietro in Cariano (VR). The aircraft had departed from a heliport in Costermano del Garda (VR) at 07:30 UTC. The incident was promptly reported to the Agenzia Nazionale per la Sicurezza del Volo (ANSV) by ENAV SpA and the Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile (ENAC) Verona Airport Circumscription. ANSV conducted the technical investigation in accordance with Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention and Italian Legislative Decree 66/1999, with the sole objective of preventing accidents and incidents, excluding any assessment of fault or liability. ## Flight History and Sequence of Events At 07:33 UTC, the pilot contacted Garda Approach (Garda APP) via radio, reporting departure from Costermano del Garda and stating an intention to proceed to Villa dal Quar, located one kilometer north of Boscomantico. The pilot indicated a plan to take off again from Villa dal Quar to head toward Isola di Pancano, near Ronchi dei Legionari. This communication was made to open a flight plan from Villa dal Quar to Isola of Pancano, as crossing the Tagliamento River required a filed flight plan. Upon approaching Villa dal Quar, the pilot contacted Garda APP again, reporting his position as two nautical miles north of Boscomantico Airport and stating an intention to return toward the hills. At approximately 07:42 UTC, the helicopter crashed to the ground and ignited. ## Damage, Personnel, and Aircraft Details The helicopter was completely destroyed by the impact with the ground and the subsequent fire. Minor damage was sustained to the vineyard in which the aircraft crashed. The pilot in command was a 63-year-old Italian male. He held a valid private pilot license for helicopters, obtained in 1994, and a private pilot license for airplanes. His ratings included the Robinson R22 and Robinson R44. His medical certificate was valid. Flight experience data available in the report referred to 11 July 2001, the date of his last license renewal; hours flown after that date were unavailable because his flight logbook was not found. The aircraft was a Robinson R44, serial number 0339, manufactured by Robinson Helicopters Co. of Torrance, Los Angeles, USA. The owner was EURAM INC. of New Orleans, Louisiana, and the operator was a private individual. It held a Standard Airworthiness Certificate issued by the FAA. The helicopter had a single Textron Lycoming O-540-F1B5 engine rated at 225 hp, a maximum takeoff weight of 2,400 lbs, an empty weight of 1,422 lbs, and seating for four (1+3). It was not pressurized and was equipped with skids. ## Meteorological Conditions The meteorological station at Verona Villafranca Airport, located approximately 15 kilometers from the accident site, reported at 07:20 UTC: wind from 070° at one knot, visibility 1,000 meters, sky coverage 3/8 to 4/8 at 200 feet, temperature 5°C, dew point 4°C, and atmospheric pressure 1013 hectopascals. The pilot of the Verona Emergenza air ambulance helicopter, who arrived at the scene ten minutes later, reported that upon reaching the area, about one mile from the GPS-indicated target, he observed a column of dense black smoke rising from the fog in the distance. He turned right to approach while maintaining altitude. As he drew closer, almost vertically, he could see below him.