Robinson R44 II N878BC
26 January 2018 · Loveland, Colorado, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 26 January 2018 at about 18:40 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N878BC was involved in an accident near Loveland, Colorado, United States. 3 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:40
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Loveland, Colorado, United States
- Nearest airport
- Northern Colorado Rgnl (FNL)
- Coordinates
- 40.4400, -105.0072
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II
- Registration
- N878BC
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2006
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Fort Collins → Longmont
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN18LA087
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Probable cause
The airplane pilot’s failure to see and avoid the helicopter while in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision between the two aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the airplane pilot’s misunderstanding of the helicopter pilot’s intentions and the airplane pilot’s expectation that the helicopter would be clear of the runway.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The accident occurred when a helicopter (N878BC) and an airplane (N777YF) collided midair while on approach to the airport. The helicopter pilot intended to fly a practice instrument approach to the runway, perform the missed approach procedure, and enter the published holding pattern. The airplane pilot intended to enter the traffic pattern, with appropriate spacing, for a full stop landing on the same runway. The airplane pilot had the helicopter in sight and was following the helicopter to the runway. While on final approach, the airplane pilot thought that the helicopter had entered a hover and asked the helicopter pilot about his intentions. The helicopter pilot indicated that he would be flying the missed approach procedure and then returning to the airport, but the airplane pilot incorrectly heard the helicopter pilot's response and believed that the helicopter was going to hover near the end of the runway and then proceed to the east. As a result, the airplane pilot expected the helicopter to be east of the airport, which was a common location for local helicopter training, when the airplane would be landing; however, the helicopter was on approach to the runway at that time. During the airplane's approach, the airplane pilot lost sight of the helicopter. The airplane continued to land and collided with the helicopter.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robinson R44 II II | N878BC | - | Substantial |
| Beechcraft A36 UNDESIGNAT | N777YF | Landsgaard Equipment Leasing LLC | Minor |
Other Robinson R44 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Jul 2018 | Robinson R44 | Domecko, Poland | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 30 Jan 2018 | Robinson R44 | Newport Beach, California, United States | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 17 Jan 2018 | Robinson R44 | Ayers Rock, Australia | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 1 May 2018 | Robinson R44 II | Mabula, South Africa | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 18 Dec 2018 | Robinson R44 | Strykersville, New York, United States | Moog Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 9 Jul 2018 | Robinson R44 | Okawville, Illinois, United States | Skyline Helicopters Llc | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Apr 2018 | Cessna T210N | Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Aug 2018 | Piper PA32R | Falcon, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Oct 2018 | Cessna 120 | Hudson, Colorado, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 25 Dec 2018 | Van's RV 6 | Watkins, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Jul 2018 | Cessna 172 | Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Oct 2018 | Skystar KITFOX SER 5 SAFARI | Monte Vista, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |