Robinson R-44 RA-04371 08.07.2016

Non-fatal accident with Robinson R-44 RA-04371 helicopter owned by "Fortross" LLC occurred at a distance of 157 km from Abakab Airport on July 8, 2016. According to the available information the pilot and three passengers were on board.
The Interstate Aviation Committee has assigned the Investigation team of the accident in accordance with the Russian Aviation Legislation. The Investigation team has started its work.

The Interstate Aviation Committee Investigation team has completed the investigation of the accident with R‑44 RA-04371 private helicopter, which occurred on 08.07.2016 in Krasnoyarsk Territory, RF.

Most probably, the R‑44 RA-04371 accident occurred while the forced landing in a mountain area was being performed. This forced landing was needed because the power for continuing a climb along the upgoing terrain was not enough.

The contributing factors were followings:

- 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 influence of turbulence and downdrafts while approaching the saddle from downwind, considering that at the accident site there were no conditions shown for the downdrafts' originating.

Appropriate safety recommendations based on the investigation results were developed.