Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN15LA185

Marquette, MI, USA

Aircraft #1

N556DG

GIACKINO DONALD W ROTORWAY 162F

Analysis

The pilot reported that he planned on hovering in the helicopter to get some measurements using a vibration computer. After lifting off and entering a hover, the helicopter started to yaw left. The pilot applied the right pedal, but the yaw continued. While the pilot maneuvered the helicopter away from buildings, it entered a spin and then spun about six to eight times before a main rotor blade struck a tree. The pilot stated that there was only a light breeze and no wind gusts at the time of the accident. An examination of the tail rotor drive belts revealed that at least two of the three belts were not damaged. The reason for the loss of control could not be determined.

Factual Information

On March 28, 2015, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Rotorway 162F helicopter, N556DG, impacted terrain shortly after lifting off from a private helipad in Marquette, Michigan. The commercial rated pilot was not injured and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was operating in a confined area and planned to hover, in order to get some measurements from a vibration computer. Just after bringing the helicopter to a hover, the helicopter started to yaw left, he applied right pedal, but the yaw continued. The pilot then tried to maneuver the helicopter away from buildings, but the helicopter entered into a spin. The pilot added that the helicopter spun at least 6-8 times before a main rotor blade struck a tree. The helicopter then impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor blades, fuselage, and tailboom. The pilot recalled there was only a slight breeze and no wind gusts. The Federal Administration Aviation (FAA) inspector did not do an on-site examination; however, the pilot inspected the tail rotor drive belts, and was able to determine that at least 2 of the 3 belts were not damaged. He was unable to determine the reason for the loss of tail rotor effectiveness

Probable Cause and Findings

The loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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