# Accident 20030625021529A: Robsin R44RAVENII, Coleta, IL, June 25, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 25, 2003, 08:32 local time
- Place: Coleta, IL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.9083° N, 89.8033° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9083&lon=-89.8033&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7512P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7512P-2006-06-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (registry code 7640122, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540 series (registry code 41530, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R44RAVENII
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 3
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 120 total, 120 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI03FA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA181) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030625021529A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) INITIAL WITNESS INTERVIEWS INDICATE THE ENGINE QUIT WHILE IN LEVEL CRUISE OF APPROX 1000 FEET AGL FOLLOWED BY THE MAIN ROTOR STOPPING SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE QUITTING. AIRCRAFT IMPACT SIGNATURE SHOWS VERTICAL IMPACT WITH NO ROTATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR. MAIN FUEL TANK EMPTY AND ESTIMATED .5 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE AUX TANK. NO INDICATIONS OF FUEL SPILLAGE AT THE SITE. SUSPECTED FUEL STARVATION AND FAILURE ON THE PILOT TO EXECUTE AUTOROTATIVE GLIDE TO LANDING IAW EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. (-23 AMENDMENT) INITAL WITNESS INTERVIEWS INDICATE THE ENGINE QUIT WHILE IN LEVEL CRUISE OF APPROXIMATELY 1000 FEET AGL FOLLOWED BY THE MAIN ROTOR STOPPING SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE QUITTING. AIRCAFT IMPACT SIGNATURE VERTICAL IMPACT WITH NO ROTATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR OR THE ENGINE SHOWING TO BE OPERATING AT IMPACT. SURROUNDING CORN FIELD WHERE THE IMPACT SITE WAS SHOWED SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF THE FUEL TANKS HAVING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE FUEL MAIN FUEL TANK CAP WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE TANK AT THE IMPACT SITE, BUT WAS LAYING ADJACENT TO THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE. THE CORN STALKS SURROUNDING THE IMPACT SITE GAVE EVIDENCE OF CHEMICAL BURNS TO THE STALKS AS                                A RESULT OF THE SPRAYING ON THE ONBOARD FUEL AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OF THE ENGINE BEING IN OPERATION AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. THE ROTORS SHOWS EVIDENCE OF ANY ROTATION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI03FA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA181), Jun 25, 2003: Robinson R44 II (N7512P), Coleta, IL, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot not maintaining main rotor RPM during cruise flight. The factor in the two passenger's fatal injuries was the pilot not following directives concerning the prohibition of carrying…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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