# Accident 20080428838599A: Robsin R44RAVENII, Barlett, TX, April 28, 2008

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 28, 2008, 11:00 local time
- Place: Barlett, TX
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Engine Run-Up
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.7904° N, 97.4191° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7904&lon=-97.4191&mi=10
- Aircraft: N477SH, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N477SH-2013-08-28) (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
- Reported engine: LYC IO540*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 3,000 total, 280 in this make and model, 400 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DFW08LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA122) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080428838599A

## Narrative

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

(-23) WHILE CONDUCTING AN ENGINE RUN-UP PRIOR TO FLIGHT, AIRCRAFT DRIFTED REARWARD OVER A DRAINAGE DITCH.  SETTLING BACK ON THE GROUND, THE HELICOPTER TILTED DOWN ON THE AFT SKIDS CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR TO STRIKE THE GROUND AND ROLLING THE AIRCRAFT ON ITS SIDE.  BOTH PILOT AND PASSENGER ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES;HOWEVER, AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGER RETURNED TO THE AIRCRAFT TO REMOVE PERSONAL ITEMS WHEN A FIRE BROKE OUT.  THE PASSENGER RECEIVED SERIOUS BURNS AND WAS AIRLIFTED TO A MAJOR BURN CENTER.  WITHIN TWO WEEKS, THE PASSENGER SUCCUMBED TO HIS BURNS.  FAA RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE PILOT WAS NOT ROTOCRAFT RATED AND DID NOT HAVE A VALID MEDICAL.

## 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 DFW08LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA122), Apr 28, 2008: Robinson R44 (N477SH), Bartlett, TX, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from terrain (embankment) during takeoff.

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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