NTSB Accident Report
On November 24, 2011, approximately 1900 central standard time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter,
N821JV, sustained substantial damage when it impacted water following a loss of control while
maneuvering near Hackensack, Minnesota. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries and the
passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to Four Winds Leasing, LLC,
Walker, Minnesota, and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a
flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The
flight departed Alexandria, Minnesota, at an unknown time.
According to local authorities who spoke with the passenger, the pilot was maneuvering for a
landing near his residence. While in a hover over the lake, the passenger heard a "bang/boom" and
the helicopter immediately yawed to the right and impacted the water. The passenger was able to
swim to shore.
The helicopter was recovered from the lake on November 25th. Postaccident examination of the
helicopter showed damage to the fuselage and main rotor blades. The helicopter was recovered to a
secure facility for further examination.
Other conditions that played a role in the crash:
Temp: -1ºC, dewpoint: -2ºC
Ice needs three things for it to form:
1) Temperature below 0ºC
2) Moisture
3) Surface to form on
There are a number of scenarios where moisture can be present. The most common is rain and fog. Others would be low temp/dewpoint spread, and operating over or near water.
In this accident report we see that the helicopter was maneuvering over a lake, so moisture was very prevalent. All three things needed to form ice existed, the aircraft was the surface for the ice to form on, the temperature was below 0ºC, and there was plenty of moisture present from the lake and low temp/dewpoint spread.
Whenever cold temps or moisture exists, a pilot should be more cautious and aware of the possibility of icing. If you are flying in moisture, then make sure that you don't fly into and area of cold temps. When flying in cold temps, then make sure that there is no moisture where you are flying from either water, rain, fog, or high humidity.
Ice needs three things for it to form:
1) Temperature below 0ºC
2) Moisture
3) Surface to form on
There are a number of scenarios where moisture can be present. The most common is rain and fog. Others would be low temp/dewpoint spread, and operating over or near water.
In this accident report we see that the helicopter was maneuvering over a lake, so moisture was very prevalent. All three things needed to form ice existed, the aircraft was the surface for the ice to form on, the temperature was below 0ºC, and there was plenty of moisture present from the lake and low temp/dewpoint spread.
Whenever cold temps or moisture exists, a pilot should be more cautious and aware of the possibility of icing. If you are flying in moisture, then make sure that you don't fly into and area of cold temps. When flying in cold temps, then make sure that there is no moisture where you are flying from either water, rain, fog, or high humidity.
Schedule Pointe and next terms schedule
Availability sheets are due on the 16th of this month. turn them in so you can get recurring flight blocks this Winter term.
Check Schedule Pointe everyday for updates on flight information. There are a lot of check rides and stage checks this week an next, that means a lot of student's will be pumped, check the schedule to see if you are affected and reschedule if you need too.
Resources
Company website
For some information about LEA’s flight school, maintenance facility, commercial operations, or aircraft sales, visit the company website.
Here is a Link to FlyBend.com
Facebook
Also Flow Leading Edge on Facebook
Here is a Link to the Facebook page.
NTSB Accident Report
For a search query of reports accidents to the NTSB
Here is a Link to ntsb.gov
R22 Preflight written instructions, here is a good Link with pictures and text about a R22 preflight.
And this is the sublink that goes to and miscellaneous page with some really good information about the helicopter and components that aren't identified on the preflight check list.
