Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Unalaska, AK
On June 20, 2010, a Robinson Helicopter R44 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Unalaska, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 20, 2010
- Place
- Unalaska, AK
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 53.456°N, 167.872°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100621X31143
Official records · ANC10LA053
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On June 19, 2010, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N333DV, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain about 62 miles southwest of Unalaska, Alaska. The helicopter was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR)other work use flight, in conjunction with a cattle ranch, under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot died in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on June 19, an official for the cattle ranch said another pilot at the ranch told her the helicopter pilot had just dropped off two employees for a cattle count, and upon departure, the helicopter had "caught a skid," and impacted terrain. The employees attempted to render aid to the accident pilot, but she was told the pilot died. The employees reported they did not think there were any problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. In a written statement provided to the NTSB IIC by one of the ranch employees who witnessed the accident, the witness reported that he and another employee were in the helicopter with the pilot, surveying the ranch property, when they spotted a bull that had become entangled in plastic wrapping material. He said he and the other employee got out of the helicopter, and the pilot attempted to herd the bull toward them so they could cut the plastic off. The witness said the bull would not cooperate, and the pilot t
Probable cause
The pilot's inappropriate low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
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Browse: Alaska · Robinson aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
