# Accident 20071024828089A: Robsin R44, Catarina, TX, October 24, 2007

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 24, 2007, 13:45 local time
- Place: Catarina, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hovering
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.4306° N, 99.2304° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4306&lon=-99.2304&mi=10
- Aircraft: N744RG, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N744RG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (registry code 42353, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R44
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,200 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 180 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DFW08LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA020) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071024828089A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON OCTOBER 24, 2007, AT APPROXIMATELY 1345 CST, A ROBINSON R44 HELICOPTER, N744RG, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE UPON LANDING AFTER THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO ROCK FORE AND AFT CAUSING THE PILOT TO LOSE CONTROL. NEITHER THE PILOT NOR THE THREE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A FLIGHT OVER A LOCAL RANCH WITH THE RANCH OWNER, MANAGER, AND A WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST. THE PASSENGERS WERE COUNTING DEER. THE PILOT WAS HOVERING ABOVE A DEER AT ABOUT FIFTY FEET WHEN HE SAID THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO MOVE FORE AND AFT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE CYCLIC FELT STIFF. THE MOVEMENTS GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND HE LOST CONTROL, LANDED HARD, AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO ITS SIDE. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED. NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE 14 CFR PART 91 FLIGHT.

## 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 DFW08LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA020), Oct 24, 2007: Robinson R-44 (N744RG), Catarina, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of control due to the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees while hovering . A contributing factor was the low altitude.

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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