# Accident 20120918019069A: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Slaton, TX, September 18, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 18, 2012, 15:55 local time
- Place: Slaton, TX
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.4853° N, 101.6617° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4853&lon=-101.6617&mi=10
- Aircraft: N957R, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N957R-2014-12-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (registry code 7640122, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (registry code 41899, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 6,750 total, 130 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN12CA643](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA643) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120918019069A

## Narrative

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

THIS WAS A FINAL LANDING FOR THE DAY.  THE PILOT DEPARTED SLATON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT IN SLATON, TX (F49) AT ABOUT 1330 LOCAL TIME, FLEW A COMMERCIAL FLIGHT TO YOAKUM COUNTY, TEXAS  AND RETURNED TO F49.  THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A LANDING PLATFORM (TRAILER) PARKED ON THE RAMP.   NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED, AND VISUAL METEROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED.  WINDS WERE CALM TO 5 KNOTS FROM THE SW.   DURING THE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER FELL OFF THE TRAILER AND THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND, SEVERING THE TAIL ROTOR FROM THE TAIL BOOM.  THE IMPACT DAMAGED THE FUEL TANKS AND SEPARATED THE WINDSHIELD.  THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE FIRE WHEN THE REMAINING 20 GALLONS OF AVIATION FUEL IGNITED.  THE PILOT EVACUATED THE AIRCRAFT AND WAS NOT INJURED.

## 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 CEN12CA643](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA643), Sep 18, 2012: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N957R), Slaton, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s misalignment of the helicopter during landing, which resulted in the helicopter’s fall from a raised platform.

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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