EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Robinson R44 Clipper · Emergency Procedures
Overview
This document outlines the emergency procedures for the Robinson R44 II helicopter, providing critical information for pilots in the event of various emergencies. It covers scenarios such as power failures, water landings, and system failures, detailing step-by-step actions to ensure safety and effective response. The procedures are designed to help pilots manage emergencies effectively, emphasizing the importance of maintaining rotor RPM and controlling descent during power loss. The document serves as a crucial reference for pilots to prepare for and respond to potential in-flight emergencies, ensuring a higher level of safety during operations.
- Maintain rotor RPM between 97% and 108% during autorotation.
- For maximum glide distance, aim for an airspeed of approximately 90 KIAS.
- In case of engine fire, enter autorotation and manage cabin heat if time permits.
- Perform emergency water landing procedures by unlatching doors and applying lateral cyclic upon contact with water.
- Monitor warning lights and respond immediately to indications of engine power loss or oil pressure issues.
Document
Source
Originally published by robinsonstrapistorprod.blob.core.windows.net. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type
- Emergency Procedures
- Year
- 2020
- Pages
- 14
- File size
- 307 KB
- Publisher
- robinsonstrapistorprod.blob.core.windows.net
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In this document
Power Failure – General
This section describes the indications of power failure, which may stem from engine or drive system failures. Pilots are instructed to lower the collective immediately to enter autorotation and reduce airspeed to power-off Vne or below. Cautions are provided regarding the use of aft cyclic during high-speed descents.
Power Failure Above 500 Feet AGL
In the event of a power failure above 500 feet AGL, pilots should lower the collective to maintain rotor RPM and establish a steady glide at approximately 70 KIAS. The section details the steps to select a landing spot and perform a controlled descent, including a cyclic flare before touchdown.
Emergency Water Landing – Power Off
This section outlines the procedures for an emergency water landing with the power off, including steps to unlatch doors and apply lateral cyclic upon water contact to stop the rotors. It emphasizes the importance of quickly clearing the aircraft after landing.
Loss of Tail Rotor Thrust in Forward Flight
Pilots are instructed to enter autorotation immediately if there is a loss of tail rotor thrust, maintaining a minimum airspeed of 70 KIAS if practical. The section also discusses the possibility of limited controlled flight at low power settings.
Engine Fire in Flight
In the event of an engine fire during flight, pilots should enter autorotation and follow specific steps to manage cabin heat and venting. The section provides a clear sequence of actions to take depending on whether the engine continues to run or stops.
Safety notes
- Do not apply aft cyclic during touchdown to prevent blade strike to tailcone.
- Do not attempt restart if engine malfunction is suspected or before safe autorotation is established.
Full document text
ROBINSON MODEL R44 II ROBINSON MODEL R44 II SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FAA APPROVED: 11 MAY 2020 3-i SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES CONTENTS Page Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 Power Failure – General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 Power Failure Above 500 Feet AGL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 Power Failure Between 8 Feet and 500 Feet AGL . . . . . 3-2 Power Failure Below 8 Feet AGL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3 Maximum Glide Distance Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3 Minimum Rate of Descent Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3 Air Restart Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3 Emergency Water Landing – Power Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 Emergency Water Landing – Power On . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 Loss of Tail Rotor Thrust in Forward Flight . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5 Loss of Tail Rotor Thrust in Hover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5 Headset Audio Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5 Engine Fire During Start on Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 Engine Fire in Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 Electrical Fire in Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 Tachometer Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7 Hydraulic System Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7 Governor Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7 Warning/Caution Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8 Audio Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11 INTENTIONALLY BLANK ROBINSON MODEL R44 II SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FAA APPROVED: 21 OCT 2016 3-1 SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES DEFINITIONS Land Immediately – Land on the nearest clear area where a safe normal landing can be performed. Be prepared to enter autorotation during approach, if required. Land as soon as practical – Landing site is at pilot’s discretion based on nature of problem and available landing areas. Flight beyond nearest airport is not recommended. POWER FAILURE – GENERAL A power failure may be caused by either an engine or drive system failure and will usually be indicated by the low RPM horn. An engine failure may be indicated by a change in noise level, nose left yaw, an oil pressure light, or decreasing engine RPM. A drive system failure may be indicated by an unusual noise or vibration, nose right or left yaw, or decreasing rotor RPM while engine RPM is increasing. In case of power failure, immediately lower collective to enter autorotation and reduce airspeed to power-off V ne or below. CAUTION Aft cyclic is required when collective is lowered at high airspeed. CAUTION Do not apply aft cyclic during touchdown or ground slide to prevent possible blade strike to tailcone. POWER FAILURE ABOVE 500 FEET AGL 1. Lower collective immediately to maintain rotor RPM. 2. Establish a steady glide at approximately 70 KIAS. (For maximum glide distance or minimum rate of descent, see page 3-3.) 3. Adjust collective to keep RPM between 97 and 108% or apply full down collective if light weight prevents attaining above 97%. 4. Select landing spot and, if altitude permits, maneuver so landing will be into wind. 5. A restart may be attempted at pilot’s discretion if sufficient time is available (see “Air Restart Procedure”, page 3-3). 6. If unable to restart, turn unnecessary switches and fuel valve off. 7. At about 40 feet AGL, begin cyclic flare to reduce rate of descent and forward speed. 8. At about 8 feet AGL, apply forward cyclic to level ship and raise collective just before touchdown to cushion landing. Touch down in level attitude with nose straight ahead. POWER FAILURE BETWEEN 8 FEET AND 500 FEET AGL 1. Lower collective immediately to maintain rotor RPM. 2. Adjust collective to keep RPM between 97 and 108% or apply full down collective if light weight prevents attaining above 97%. 3. Maintain airspeed until ground is approached, then begin cyclic flare to reduce rate of descent and forward speed. 4. At about 8 feet AGL, apply forward cyclic to level ship and raise collective just before touchdown to cushion landing. Touch down in level attitude and nose straight ahead. ROBINSON MODEL R44 II SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FAA APPROVED: 21 FEB 2014 3-2 ROBINSON MODEL R4411 SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES POWER FAILURE BELOW 8 FEET AGL 1. Apply right pedal as required to prevent yawing. 2. Allow rotorcraft to settle. 3. Raise collective just before touchdown to cushion landing. MAXIMUM GUDE DISTANCE CONFIGURATION 1. Airspeed approximately 90 KIAS. 2. Rotor RPM approximately 90%. 3. Best glide ratio is about 4. 7: 1 or one nautical mile per 1300 feet AGL. MINIMUM RATE OF DESCENT CONFIGURATION 1. Airspeed approximately 55 KIAS. 2. Rotor RPM approximately 90%. 3. Minimum rate of descent is about 1350 feet per minute. Glide ratio is about 4: 1 or one nautical mile per 1 500 feet AGL CAUTION Increase rotor RPM to 97% minimum when auto rotating below 500 feet AGL. AIR REST ART PROCEDURE CAUTION Do not attempt restart if engine malfunction is suspected or before safe autorotation is established. Air restarts not recommended below 2000 feet AGL. 1. Mixture - Off. 2. Throttle - Closed. 3. Starter - Engage. 4. Mixture - Move slowly rich while cranking. FAA APPROVED: 3 OCT 2002 3-3 EMERGENCY WATER LANDING – POWER OFF 1. Follow same procedures as for power failure over land until contacting water. If time permits, unlatch doors prior to water contact. 2. Apply lateral cyclic when aircraft contacts water to stop rotors. 3. Release seat belt and quickly clear aircraft when rotors stop. EMERGENCY WATER LANDING – POWER ON 1. Descend to hover above water. 2. Unlatch doors. 3. Passengers exit aircraft. 4. Fly to safe distance from passengers to avoid possible
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injury by rotors. 5. Switch battery and alternator OFF. 6. Roll throttle off into overtravel spring. 7. Keep aircraft level and apply full collective as aircraft contacts water. 8. Apply lateral cyclic to stop rotors. 9. Release seat belt and quickly clear aircraft when rotors stop. ROBINSON MODEL R44 II SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FAA APPROVED: 21 FEB 2014 3-4 ROBINSON MODEL R44 II SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FAA APPROVED: 17 DEC 2019 3-5 LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR THRUST IN FORWARD FLIGHT Failure is usually indicated by nose right yaw which cannot be corrected by applying left pedal. 1. Immediately enter autorotation. 2. Maintain at least 70 KIAS if practical. 3. Select landing site, roll throttle off into overtravel spring, and perform autorotation landing. NOTE When a suitable landing site is not available, the vertical stabilizers may permit limited controlled flight at low power settings and airspeeds above 70 KIAS; however, prior to reducing airspeed, enter full autorotation. LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR THRUST IN HOVER Failure is usually indicated by nose right yaw which cannot be stopped by applying left pedal. 1. Immediately roll throttle off into overtravel spring and allow aircraft to settle. 2. Raise collective just before touchdown to cushion landing. HEADSET AUDIO FAILURE If headset audio fails, land as soon as practical. CAUTION For aircraft which provide low RPM horn through the audio system, pilot will not hear horn with a failed headset. ROBINSON MODEL R44 II SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FAA APPROVED: 21 OCT 2016 3-6 ENGINE FIRE DURING START ON GROUND 1. Cranking – Continue and attempt to start which would suck flames and excess fuel into engine. 2. If engine starts, run at 60-70% RPM for a short time. 3. Fuel mixture – OFF. 4. Fuel valve – OFF. 5. Battery switch – OFF. 6. If time permits, apply rotor brake to stop rotors. 7. Exit helicopter. ENGINE FIRE IN FLIGHT 1. Enter autorotation. 2. Cabin heat – OFF (if time permits). 3. Cabin vent – ON (if time permits). 4. If engine is running, perform normal landing, then fuel mixture OFF and fuel valve OFF. If engine stops running, fuel valve OFF and complete autorotation landing. 5. Battery switch – OFF. 6. If time permits, apply rotor brake to stop rotors. 7. Exit helicopter. ELECTRICAL FIRE IN FLIGHT 1. Battery and alternator switches – OFF. 2. Open cabin vents. 3. Land immediately. 4. Fuel mixture OFF and fuel valve OFF. 5. If time permits, apply rotor brake to stop rotors. 6. Exit helicopter. NOTE Low RPM warning system and governor are inoperative with battery and alternator switches both off. TACHOMETER FAILURE If rotor or engine tach malfunctions in flight, use remaining tach to monitor RPM. If it is not clear which tach is malfunctioning or if both tachs malfunction, allow governor to control RPM and land as soon as practical. NOTE Each tach, the governor, and the low RPM horn are on separate power circuits. A special circuit allows the battery to supply power to the tachs with the battery and alternator switches both off. HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FAILURE Hydraulic system failure is indicated by heavy or stiff cyclic and collective controls. Loss of hydraulic fluid may cause intermittent and/or vibrating feedback in the controls. Control will be normal except for the increase in stick forces. 1. HYD Switch – verify ON. 2. If hydraulics not restored, HYD Switch – OFF. 3. Adjust airspeed and flight condition as desired for comfortable control. 4. Land as soon as practical. GOVERNOR FAILURE If engine RPM governor malfunctions, grip throttle firmly to override the governor, then switch governor off. Complete flight using manual throttle control. ROBINSON MODEL R44 II SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FAA APPROVED: 7 MAY 2019 3-7 FAA APPROVED: 3 OCT 2002 3-8 ROBINSON MODEL R44 II SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WARNING/CAUTION LIGHTS NOTE If a light causes excessive glare at night, bulb may be unscrewed or circuit breaker pulled to eliminate glare during landing. OIL Indicates loss of engine power or oil pressure. Check engine tach for power loss. Check oil pressure gage and, if pressure loss is confirmed, land immediately. Continued operation without oil pressure will cause serious engine damage and engine failure may occur. ENG FIRE Indicates possible fire in engine compartment. See procedures on page 3-6. MR TEMP Indicates excessive temperature of main rotor gearbox. See note below. MR CHIP Indicates metallic particles in main rotor gearbox. See note below. TR CHIP Indicates metallic particles in tail rotor gearbox. See note below. NOTE If light is accompanied by any indication of a problem such as noise, vibration, or temperature rise, land immediately. If there is no other indication of a problem, land as soon as practical. Break-in fuzz will occasionally activate chip lights. If no metal chips or slivers are found on detector plug, clean and reinstall (tail rotor gearbox must be refilled with new oil). Hover for at least 30 minutes. If chip light comes on again, replace gearbox before further flight. FAA APPROVED: 17 NOV 2021 3-9 ROBINSON MODEL R44 II SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WARNING/CAUTION LIGHTS (cont’d) LOW FUEL Indicates approximately three gallons of usable fuel remaining. The engine will run out of fuel after ten minutes at cruise power. CAUTION Do not use LOW FUEL as a working indication of fuel quantity. AUX FUEL PUMP Indicates low auxiliary fuel pump pressure. If no other indication of a problem, land as soon as practical. If light is accompanied by erratic engine operation, land immediately. FUEL FILTER Indicates fuel strainer contamination. If no other indication of a problem, land as soon as practical. If light is accompanied by aux fuel pump warning light or erratic engine operation, land immediately. CLUTCH Indicates clutch actuator circuit is on, either engaging or disengaging clutch. When switch is in the ENGAGE position, light stays on until belts are properly tensioned. Never take off before light goes out. NOTE Clutch light may come on momentarily during run-ups or during flight to retension belts as they warm-up and stretch slightly. This is normal. If, however, the light flickers or comes on in flight and does not go out within 10 seconds, pull CLUTCH circuit breaker and land as soon as practical. Reduce power and land immediately if there are other indications of drive system failure (be prepared to enter autorotation). Have drive system inspected for a possible malfunction. FAA APPROVED: 11 MAY 2020 3-10 WARNING/CAUTION LIGHTS (cont’d) ALT Indicates low voltage and possible alternator failure. Turn off nonessential electrical equipment and switch ALT off then back on after one second to reset alternator control unit. If light stays on, land as soon as practical. Continued flight without functioning alternator can result in loss of power to tachometers, producing a hazardous flight condition. STARTER ON Indicates starter motor is engaged. If light does not go out when starter button is released, immediately pull mixture off and turn battery switch off. Have starter motor serviced. LOW RPM Indicates rotor speed below 97% RPM. To restore RPM, immediately lower collective, roll throttle on and, in forward flight, apply aft cyclic. Light is disabled when collective is full down. GOV OFF Indicates engine RPM governor is switched off. CARBON MONOXIDE Indicates elevated levels of carbon monoxide (CO) in cabin. Shut off heater and open nose and door vents. If hovering, land or transition to forward flight. If symptoms of CO poisoning (headache, drowsiness, dizziness) accompany light, land immediately. BRAKE Indicates rotor brake is engaged. Release immediately in flight or before starting engine. FULL THROTTLE (if installed) Indicates engine near full throttle. The governor will be ineffective because it cannot increase throttle to maintain RPM. Lower collective as required to extinguish light. HYD (if installed) Indicates hydraulic system is switched off. ROBINSON MODEL R44 II SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FAA APPROVED: 11 MAY 2020 3-11 AUDIO ALERTS LOW RPM HORN Horn is provided by one or two speakers in the side of the instrument console on earlier aircraft or through the audio system on later aircraft. The horn activates simultaneously with the LOW RPM caution light and indicates rotor speed below 97% RPM. To restore RPM, lower collective, roll throttle on and, in forward flight, apply aft cyclic. Horn and light are disabled when collective is full down. HIGH RPM WARBLE On later aircraft, a warble (high/low tone) in the audio system indicates rotor speed is approaching the 108% RPM limit. Raise collective as required to control RPM. ROBINSON MODEL R44 II SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES INTENTIONALLY BLANK
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