# Accident 20091015020159A: Robsin R44, Punta Gorta, FL, October 15, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 15, 2009, 18:30 local time
- Place: Punta Gorta, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.6307° N, 87.0402° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6307&lon=-87.0402&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3038W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3038W-2013-09-20) (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
- Reported engine: LYC O540F1B5
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 4,000 total, 715 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA10LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA019) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091015020159A

## Narrative

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

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.

## 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 ERA10LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA019), Oct 15, 2009: Robinson R44 (N3038W), La Belle, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of main rotor rpm due to the failure of one or more of the drive belts for undetermined reasons.

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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