# Accident 20170213001649A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Holtville, CA, February 13, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 13, 2017, 21:30 local time
- Place: Holtville, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: XJZG
- Location: 32.8111° N, 115.3803° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8111&lon=-115.3803&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4534G, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4534G-2018-11-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (registry code 42353, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-540-F1B5
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA17CA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA151) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170213001649A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS MAKING A TURN AFTER COMPLETING AN APPLICATION. PILOT APPEARS TO HAVE EXPERIENCED SETTLING WITH POWER CONDITION.  PILOT NOTICED ROTOR RPM WAS TOO LOW AND APPLIED TOO MUCH COLLECTIVE IN AN  ATTEMPT TO CORRECT ISSUE. AIRCRAFT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH RPM NOR ALTITUDE TO CORRECT ISSUE. SKIDS MADE CONTACT WITH TERRAIN CAUSING A/C TO NOSE OVER. A/C ENDED UP RESTING ON PILOT SIDE. PILOT EGRESSED THE A/C, SUSTAINING NO INJURIES. A/C WAS DESTROYED.

## 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 GAA17CA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA151), Feb 14, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N4534G), Holtville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s initiation of a left turn at a low altitude with low airspeed and a tailwind while operating near maximum gross weight, which resulted in the helicopter losing altitude, touching down on…

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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