20150716014379A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Fentress, TX · July 16, 2015

Date: July 16, 2015 · 20:30 local
Place: Fentress, TX
Phase of flight: Maneuver
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N804DF
NTSB investigation: NTSBGAA15CA232
Reported as: Robinson Helicopter R44 II
Reported engine: Continental IO-540 series
People aboard: 3
Fatal injuries: 0
Other injuries: 0
Pilot’s certificate: Commercial pilot
Pilot’s flight hours: 6,750 total1,745 in this make and model72 in the last 90 days

N804DFRegistration cancelled Nov 4, 2019 · Robinson Helicopter R44 IIS/N 11265 · Built 2006 Airframe modelRobinson Helicopter R44 II Engine modelContinental IO-540 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry 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.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

After conducting a downwind manuvering turn the low rotor RPM alert came on. Due to low altitude the pilot was unable to recover and made a hard landing from 20-25 feet.

The pilot exited the helicopter (with engine running) to inspect for damage. He noticed skin wrinkling above the rear struts.

The pilot then flew the aircraft (with passengers aboard) to his hangar approximately 5 miles distance. After engine shut down he noticed substantial damage to both main and tail rotor blades.

As the FAA filed it

AFTER CONDUCTING A DOWNWIND MANUVERING TURN THE LOW ROTOR RPM ALERT CAME ON. DUE TO LOW ALTITUDE THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER AND MADE A HARD LANDING FROM 20-25 FEET.

THE PILOT EXITED THE HELICOPTER (WITH ENGINE RUNNING) TO INSPECT FOR DAMAGE. HE NOTICED SKIN WRINKLING ABOVE THE REAR STRUTS.

THE PILOT THEN FLEW THE AIRCRAFT (WITH PASSENGERS ABOARD) TO HIS HANGAR APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES DISTANCE. AFTER ENGINE SHUT DOWN HE NOTICED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH MAIN AND TAIL ROTOR BLADES.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB GAA15CA232Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPrairie Lea, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees.Jul 16, 2015 · Substantial damage

Other reports on N804DF · 2

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 20170219001049ATaxi · Spofford, TXAirman hovered an R-44 helicopter inside a hangar with the intent of repositioning outside the hangar for a flight to another airfield. Aircraft rotor system contacted the hangar door frame resulting in substantial damage. Aircraft came to rest on its side.…Feb 19, 2017 · Substantial damage Accident 20080705839879AHovering · Spring Branch, TX(-23) On July 5, 2008, at approximately 1600 CDT, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N804DF, sustained substantial damage when it landed hard after loss of tail rotor effectiveness. The commercial pilot and front seat passenger were not injured. The back seat…Jul 5, 2008 · Reported as Robsin R44RAVENII · Substantial damage