12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT

Robinson R-44 Raven II | N323TT

June 19th, 2024 | Blue Stem, Washington

Accident Location

  • City: Blue Stem
  • State: Washington
  • Latitude: 47.546733
  • Longitude: -118.15535
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N323TT
  • Make: Robinson
  • Model: R-44 Raven II
  • Aircraft Category: Helicopter
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Sanvig, Ryan Hardy
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 68
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: Yes
  • Pilot Certification: Airline Transport Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 2nd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: June 19th, 2024
  • Time: 4:20 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Enroute
  • Total People Onboard: 2
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 1
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 2
  • NTSB No: WPR24FA200
  • NTSB Travel: Yes
  • AQP Classification: 12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot did not ensure proper safe maneuvering flight during the flight from Ellensburg Washington to Coeur d’Alene upon approaching the face of upsloping rising terrain at approximately 3000 feet MSL. The aircraft descended and turned, likely to observe something of interest on the ground. In the process of suspected aggressive maneuvering, the tail boom was struck by the blades. The debris field was 340 feet long and and began with tail rotor debris located at 2182 feet MSL. A fire or explosion was associated with the impact. The mast bump phenomena is highly likely due to previous mast bump losses in this similar type aircraft, and as aggressive maneuvering below sufficient rotor RPM can cause main blade flapping and a catastrophic intersection of the rotating blades with the tail boom.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all rotorcraft become familiar with the concept of mast bumping, and condition themselves to avoid the conditions and aggressive maneuvering that can allow it to occur.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.