# Accident 20060628013579A: Robsin R44ASTRO, Fresno, CA, June 28, 2006

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 28, 2006, 18:00 local time
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Airport: Fresno-Chandler Downtown Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Running(Helicopter/Vtol Ac)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.7425° N, 119.8217° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7425&lon=-119.8217&mi=10
- Aircraft: N52EP, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52EP-2020-09-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 ASTRO (registry code 7640121, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-astro) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540F1 SERIE (registry code 41531, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540f1-serie) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R44ASTRO
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 306 total, 20 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX06CA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA221) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060628013579A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE PILOT PERFORMED A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF WITH A THIRTEEN KNOT TAILWIND. DURING THIS PHASE OF FLIGHT, THE HELICOPTER LOST TAILROTOR AUTHORITY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND IMPACTING THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET FROM THE INITIAL HELICOPTER TAKEOFF SPOT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT CABIN AREA, THE FORWARD PART OF THE LEFT SKID WAS TORN OFF AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WERE SEVERELY WRINKLED AND TWISTED.

## 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 LAX06CA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA221), Jun 29, 2006: Robinson R-44 (N52EP), Fresno, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control following a loss of tail rotor effectiveness while in a downwind hover.

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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