NTSB Factual Report

On September 29, 2002, approximately 1800 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N952LC, was substantially damaged when it rolled over while landing on a trailer near Del Rio, Texas. The helicopter was registered to the Leyendecker Construction Company of Laredo, Texas, and operated by Holt Helicopters of Uvalde, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The local deer survey flight originated from Rancho El Conejos, a private ranch located north of Del Rio, at about 1630.

According to the 1,243-hour pilot, he had just completed a deer survey of the 10,000 acre ranch and came back to land the helicopter on a trailer. The pilot added that the wind were "strong, estimated at 20 to 25 knots variable and gusting." and he aborted his first attempt to land on the trailer. He attempted a second approach to land and came within a "few inches" of touching down on the trailer when the helicopter encountered a gust of wind. The pilot reported that the helicopter "lurched" forward, rolled to the right, then fell off the trailer, landing on its left side.

Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the tailboom was bent-up approximately 45 degrees, large portions of the main rotor blades were sheared off, the main rotor mast was bent inward toward the cabin, and the front wind screen is broken out. Evidence of main rotor blade strikes were found on the goose neck of the trailer and the forward portion of the trailer. The landing gear cross tubes and the skid tubes were undamaged.

In the recommendation block of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) completed by the pilot, the pilot stated, "Don't land on trailer in gusty/windy conditions."

The Del Rio International Airport (DRT) located about 5 miles southwest (210 degrees) of the accident site was the nearest weather reporting station. At 1753 DRT was reporting the winds from 130 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 29 degrees Celsius, dewpoint 17 degrees Celsius, and a barometric pressure of 29.90 inches of Mercury. The density altitude was calculated at 2,713 feet at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A contributing factor was the reported gusting wind conditions.