What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
On October 15, 2009 at approximatelyl 18:30 a Robinson R44 helicpoter crashed on the property of babcock ranch, located near Punta Gorta, FL. Aircraft was substantially damage received minor injuries. Helicopter was flown at or below tree top level for most of the 38 minute flight at or below 40 knots indicated airspeed. Prior to impact, helicopter was operated at approximately 30 feet above ground level (AGL) when pilot reported the helicopter began to descend. Pilot stated that an autorotation was entered prior to the timeframe when the horizontal stabilator struck a 40 foot tree and broke off of the tail boom. Helicopter began to spin and struck ground 30 feet past initial impact with tree. Helicopter rolled onto its left side causing the main rotor blades to strike the ground, subsequently destroying them, and bending the mast forward. Post accident investigation did not reveal any mechanical irregularities prior to impact.
As the FAA filed it
ON OCTOBER 15, 2009 AT APPROXIMATELYL 18:30 A ROBINSON R44 HELICPOTER CRASHED ON THE PROPERTY OF BABCOCK RANCH, LOCATED NEAR PUNTA GORTA, FL. AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGE RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. HELICOPTER WAS FLOWN AT OR BELOW TREE TOP LEVEL FOR MOST OF THE 38 MINUTE FLIGHT AT OR BELOW 40 KNOTS INDICATED AIRSPEED. PRIOR TO IMPACT, HELICOPTER WAS OPERATED AT APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL) WHEN PILOT REPORTED THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DESCEND. PILOT STATED THAT AN AUTOROTATION WAS ENTERED PRIOR TO THE TIMEFRAME WHEN THE HORIZONTAL STABILATOR STRUCK A 40 FOOT TREE AND BROKE OFF OF THE TAIL BOOM. HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN AND STRUCK GROUND 30 FEET PAST INITIAL IMPACT WITH TREE. HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO STRIKE THE GROUND, SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYING THEM, AND BENDING THE MAST FORWARD. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES PRIOR TO IMPACT.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.