# Accident 20130413008959A: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Ludlow, SD, April 13, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 13, 2013, 12:15 local time
- Place: Ludlow, SD
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.7956° N, 103.4300° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7956&lon=-103.4300&mi=10
- Aircraft: N424DP, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N424DP-2015-05-20) (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 HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-540 SER
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 12,020 total, 89 in this make and model, 99 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN13LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA228) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130413008959A

## Narrative

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

ON 04/13/2013 AT 12:15 LOCAL MDT, A ROBINSON R-44 RAVEN II, REGISTERED TO DOUBLE D CHOPPERS LLC. CRASH LANDED DURING CRUISE ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT. VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS WERE UNINJURED. THE PILOT HOLDS A COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE WITH A ROTORCRAFT/HELICOPTER RATING. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT A RANCH THAT IS APPROX. 2 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LUDLOW, SD ON 04/13/2013 AT 12:10 LOCAL MDT.

## 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 CEN13LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA228), Apr 13, 2013: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N424DP), Buffalo, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an emergency landing on uneven terrain.

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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