Robinson R44 CLIPPER 1 N240RM

Summary

On 26 August 2022 at about 19:30 local time, a Robinson R44 CLIPPER 1 registered N240RM, operated by Pollux Aviation Ltd, was involved in an accident near Deadhorse, Alaska, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 August 2022 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Deadhorse, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

68.6907, -149.0897

Aircraft

Robinson R44 CLIPPER 1

Registration

N240RM

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2001

Engines

1

Operator

Pollux Aviation Ltd

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Toolik Field Station → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR22LA329

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during a descent, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, he set-up for an approach over hilly terrain with a strong tailwind. Descending on a left base the helicopter began to drift due to the wind, so the pilot added collective pitch to control the descent rate however, the helicopter rapidly descended despite the control input. The pilot initiated a run-on landing to the unimproved featureless tundra that appeared level. Upon ground contact the helicopter dynamically rolled over on its right side. The fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.