# Accident 20100916048519A: Robinson He R44  II, CA, September 16, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 16, 2010, 14:00 local time
- Place: CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.7872° N, 118.8414° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7872&lon=-118.8414&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2153S, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2153S-2012-09-21) (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: ROBINSON HE R44  II
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 240 total, 240 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR10LA458](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA458) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100916048519A

## Narrative

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

AFTER LANDING IN A MEADOW, FOR PERSONAL REASONS, PIC ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF FOR HIS DESTINATION OF TRUCKEE, CA. THE HELICOPTER WAS RAISED TO A 3 OR 4 FOOT HOVER, TURNED 45 DEGREES TO THE LEFT, AND BEGAN TO FOLLOW THE DESCENDING TERRAIN. ACCELERATING THROUGH 10 KNOTS THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A FUEL FILTER WARNING LIGHT FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER. (PILOT DID NOT NOTICE A CHANGE IN ENGINE TONE.) THE SHIP SETTLED TO THE GROUND, SLID, AND VIOLENTLY ROLLED ONTO THE PILOTS SIDE (RIGHT) WITH ROTORS SLAPPING THE GROUND. FUEL TANKS RUPTURED AND THE SHIP WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. PILOT AND PASSENGER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES DUE TO BURNS. DISTANCE FROM TAKE OFF TO IMPACT WAS ABOUT 50 YARDS.

## 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 WPR10LA458](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA458), Sep 16, 2010: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N2153S), Mammoth, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Dynamic rollover of the helicopter during a precautionary landing.

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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