Editor’s Note: Although an accident is painful for all involved, a cursory review of what accidents have occurred are both reflective and instructive. Accident reports give us unique insights into specific flights and situations that may make each of us reflect on our own operations or current flying environment. I encourage pilots, mechanics, crewmembers, and decision makers to make it a habit to study the industry’s recent accident history. If they trigger a higher awareness that saves even one life or one airframe, it will have been worth the read.
The helicopter was located upright in
a parking lot on the corner of Southwest 128th Street and Southwest 122nd Avenue in Miami, FL, and came to rest on a heading of 105 degrees magnetic. The helicopter collided with two palm trees, a pickup truck, and then the ground. The empennage section, consisting of the ver- tical and horizontal stabilizers, a portion of the tail boom, and the tail rotor were found about 300 feet prior to the accident site. A pitch horn/link assembly was locat- ed 235 degrees magnetic about 75 feet away from the wreckage. The toe of the right landing skid and pieces of tail boom skin, canopy glass, and helicopter manu- al excerpts were found on the rooftops of several buildings in the debris path.
WPR13LA188 - PRELIMINARY INJURIES: 2 MINOR
On April 12, 2013, about 0800 Pacific
daylight time, a Robinson R44 II, N442FG, was landing at Hogan’s Corner Airport, Ocean Shores, Washington, when the pilot experienced a loss of con- trol. A private company owned and oper- ated the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot and pilot- rated passenger sustained minor injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial dam- age. The pilot departed a private helipad in Forest Grove, Oregon, about 0645, with a planned destination of Hogan's Corner Airport. Visual meteorological con- ditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that after departure,
the helicopter flew north over the Oregon coastline. He planned to pick up his son at the Hogan's Corner Airport and contin- ue the flight to Copalis State Airport, Copalis, Washington. His daughter (posi- tioned in the right seat) was the flying- pilot for the main duration of the flight, although as they approached the airport, the pilot took over the flight controls. The
48 June 2013
pilot maneuvered over runway 24 about 20 feet above ground level (agl) toward the hangars positioned on the west end of the airport. The pilot further stated that he expe-
rienced a loss of control and his daughter attempted to help him regain control of the helicopter. He stated the flight con- trols felt "mushy" and unresponsive. The helicopter descended near-vertically and landed hard. He added that he had no yaw problems, nor was there a low rotor rpm indication. He remarked that the wind was calm.
CEN13LA228 - PRELIMINARY INJURIES: 4 UNINJURED
On April 13, 2013, about 1215 moun-
tain daylight time, a Robinson R-44 II – 11036 helicopter, N424DP, was substan- tially damaged after impact with terrain near Buffalo, South Dakota. The commer- cial pilot and three passengers did not report any injuries. The helicopter was registered to a private company and oper- ated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Day visual meteorological con- ditions prevailed for the flight, which orig- inated from private land near Buffalo, South Dakota about 1210. While maneuvering 150 feet above
ground level at 50 knots, the pilot report- ed that the low rotor speed horn activat- ed. The pilot lowered the collective and executed an immediate landing into uneven terrain, during which the tail boom and landing gear were separated from the main body of the helicopter. The weather station at Harding
County Airport (K2WX), Buffalo, South Dakota, located 14 nautical miles south of the accident site, reported the following conditions at 1156: wind 120 degrees at 22 knots with gusts to 28 knots; tempera- ture 8 degrees Celsius (C); dew point minus 2 degrees C; altimeter setting 29.46 inches of mercury.
CEN13WA255 - FOREIGN INJURIES: UNAVAILABLE
On April 24, 2013, about 2335 uni-
versal time coordinated, a McDonnell Douglas MD 600N, XC-AAF, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Oaxaca, Mexico. The pilot and three pas- sengers on board were fatally injured. The medical flight originated from Hospital Regional de Putla Villa de Guerrero, Oaxaxa, Mexico, and was des- tined for Hospital General de Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico.
WPR13FA208 - PRELIMINARY INJURIES: 1 FATAL
On April 27, 2013, about 0830 moun-
tain daylight time, a Bell 206B, helicopter, N150SP, was destroyed when it impacted power lines and terrain while maneuver- ing northeast of Shepherd, Montana. The private pilot was the sole occupant, and was fatally injured. The helicopter was registered to a commercial aircraft opera- tor, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions pre- vailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Worden, Montana, about 0715. A witness, who was a ranch hand,
stated that the helicopter was maneuver- ing about 100-200 feet above the ground. The witness reported that the helicopter was north bound and flying in the direc- tion of high tension power transmission lines. Shortly after losing visual contact with the helicopter, he heard two “whoosh” sounds, and about 5 seconds later, he heard a “boom” sound. He then observed black smoke in the direction of the sounds. According to local law enforcement personnel, the helicopter impacted two single-phase overhead power lines located near the accident site.
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