# Accident 20040805027289A: Robsin R44, St Louis, MO, August 5, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 5, 2004, 12:00 local time
- Place: St Louis, MO
- Airport: Spirit Of St Louis Airport
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Hovering
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: Z3MA
- Location: 38.6622° N, 90.6519° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6622&lon=-90.6519&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7036J, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7036J-2004-11-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R44
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 5,792 total, 667 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI04LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA212) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040805027289A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE PILOT WAS PLANNING TO TAKE THREE PAYING PASSENGERS ON A SCENIC FLIGHT IN THE LOCAL AREA. THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN PLACED IN A POSITION NEAR THE BIFOLDING DOOR OF A LARGE HANGAR. THE PILOT ASCENDED VERTICALLY FROM THE GROUND TO A SKID HEIGHT OF NINE (9) FEET AT WHICH TIME THE ADVANCING (RIGHT) MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE OVERHANGING DOOR. THE HELICOPTER PITCHED REARWARD STRIKING THE TAIL FIRST AND THEN COMING TO REST UPRIGHT. THE ENTIRE FLIGHT FROM BEFORE ENGINE START TO THE PASSENGER EGRESSION WAS VIDEOTAPED BY A FAMILY MEMBER WHO WAS NOT ABOARD THE HELICOPTER. THE PILOT LATER CONTENDED THAT A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT BUMPED THE CYCLIC, THEREBY CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. CAREFUL REVIEW OF THE VIDEOTAPE INDICATES THE PASSENGER DID NOT BUMP THE CYCLIC.

## 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 CHI04LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA212), Aug 5, 2004: Robinson R44 (N7036J), Chesterfield, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning due to his selection of an unsuitable takeoff area and his failure to maintain clearance from the open hangar door. A contributing factor was the open hangar…

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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