Robinson R-44 RA-04371 08.07.2016

The non-fatal accident involving Robinson R-44 RA-04371 helicopter owned by Fortross, Ltd occurred at a distance of 157 km from Abakan Airport, Republic of Khakassia (RF) on July 8, 2016. According to the avaliable information, the pilot and three passengers were on board.
The Interstate Aviation Committee has formed the Investigation team of the accident in accordance with the Russian Aviation Legislation. The Investigation team has started its work.

The  Investigation team of the Interstate Aviation Committee has completed the investigation of the accident involving R 44 RA-04371 private helicopter, occurred on July 8, 2016, in Krasnoyarsk Krai, RF.

Most probably, the accident involving R‑44 RA-04371 private helicopter during forced landing in a mountain area. This forced landing was necessary because there was insufficient power to continue climbing in the rising terrain.

The contributing factors were the following:

- best climbing speed was neither achieved nor maintained;

- decision for flight was made without considering that the flight had to be conducted in the mountain area with the takeoff mass that at some fragments of route didn't provide the helicopter with a hovering possibility even in ground effect;

- timely measures were not taken for the turn at 180°, considering that the actual width of ravine at the accident site was 300 m that didn't meet the minimum required by FAP-128 (FAP is Russian analog of FAR), which is 500 m;

- possible effect of turbulence and downdrafts while approaching the saddle from downwind, considering that at the accident site there were no conditions for downdrafts.

Appropriate safety recommendations based on the investigation results were developed.