# Accident 20121011024969A: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Fredericksburg, TX, October 11, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 11, 2012, 20:00 local time
- Place: Fredericksburg, TX
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.0519° N, 98.6067° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0519&lon=-98.6067&mi=10
- Aircraft: N474FA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N474FA-2018-01-24) (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: 3
- Fatal injuries: 3
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 659 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN13FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA010) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121011024969A

## Narrative

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

OCTOBER 12, 2012, THIS OFFICE RECEIVED A CALL FROM COM. CENTER AT 9:30 CDT, REPORTING A ROBINSON R44 HELICOPTER ACCIDENT IN FREDERICKSBURG, TX. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED NEAR A MOUNTAIN SITE FATALLY INJURING ALL TREE OCCUPANTS ON BOARD. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED THE INITIAL IMPACT OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT A STEEP ANGLE INTO THE MOUNTAIN TERRAIN WITH THE MAIN SKIDS SEPARATING COMPLETELY OFF THE CABIN STRUCTURE. THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE GROUND LEAVING AN IMPRINT ON THE GROUND, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS AIRBORNE 32 FEET FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN STRUCK A TREE, AND THEN BROKE IN HALF, WITH THE CABIN RESTING IN ITS PLACE APPROXIMATELY 8 FEET FACING SOUTH EAST FROM THE TREE TRUNK, AND THE TAIL SECTION WRAPPED AROUND THE TREE WITH ITS ASSOCIATED ROTOR BLADE COMPONENTS INTACT.   THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEPARATED FROM THE CENTER HUB AND CAME TO REST NEXT TO THE TREE TRUNK AS WELL.  THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE CAME TO REST 110 FEET SOUTH/EAST FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT. THERE WERE TWO MALE BODIES LAYED APPROXIMATELY 90 FEET  FROM THE AIRCRAFT INITIAL IMPACT. THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WAS TRAPPED IN THE CRUSHED CABIN AREA.  NO POST CRASH FIRE, AND NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE AT THE SITE.PHOTOS WERE TAKEN OF THE IMPACT, MAIN ROTOR COMPONENTS, CABIN, TAIL SECTION, ENGINE, FLIGHT CONTROLS, AND SCATTERED CRASH DEBRIS.

## 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 CEN13FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA010), Oct 12, 2012: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N474FA), Blanco, TX, substantial damage, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of helicopter control as a result of spatial disorientation due to dark night conditions and marginal visual flight rules weather conditions.

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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