Probable cause
The pilot's improper decision to land downwind from unsecured debris, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor disk ingesting foreign objects.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he landed the helicopter facing south and about 90 ft from where ground personnel were unhooking super sacks filled with gravel. When the skids touched down, the pilot reduced the collective and then saw an empty super sack about 15 ft away, which subsequently struck the main rotor toward the outboard portion of the blade. The super sack was ingested by the advancing side of the main rotor disk. The pilot rolled off the throttle and shut down the engine. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA531 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 6, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Nuiqsut, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Nuiqsut (AQT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Robinson R44
- N-number
- N447PA
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2006
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 133 (external load)
- Purpose of flight
- External load
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.