Robinson Helicopter Company R44 N511CC accident near Fairbanks, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while in a hovering turn, which resulted in a collision with obstacles.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was preparing to depart from an asphalt pad at a private airport for a personal flight. The pilot reported that, after he brought the helicopter to hover and proceeded to turn the helicopter while positioned over the pad, a gust of wind "pushed" the helicopter into a snowbank and trees. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. A review of weather information just before and after the time of the accident reported no wind gust conditions and indicated that wind was from 330° at 11 kts before the accident and from 340° at 12 kts after the accident. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis of postaccident measurements revealed that there was suitable clearance for the helicopter to conduct a hovering turn from where the helicopter was positioned over the pad to the snowbank and trees. It is likely the pilot failed to maintain his position over his reference point during the hovering turn along with not compensating for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control in flight and impact with the snowbank and trees.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC18LA032 for the full record.