# Accident 20170724010039A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Myrtle Beach, SC, July 24, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 24, 2017, 14:00 local time
- Place: Myrtle Beach, SC
- Airport: Myrtle Beack International
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: ISHJ
- Location: 33.7206° N, 78.8944° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7206&lon=-78.8944&mi=10
- Aircraft: N828RD, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N828RD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,107 total, 529 in this make and model, 280 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA17LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA257) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170724010039A

## Narrative

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

14 CFR PART 91.147 PILOT REPORTED DURING RETURNING FLIGHT TO LANDING PAD THAT THE HELICOPETR STARTED A MINOR SHAKE AND THE PILOT THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF A STUCK ENGINE VALVE. PILOT REPORTED TO HOME BASE TO HAVE A MECHANIC STANDING BY AT THE LANDING PAD. PILOTD STATED HE MAINTAINED 70 KNOTS AND 25INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE. PILOT REPORTS HE WAS DECENDING AT 300 FEET PER MINUTE AND HE STARTED PULLING POWER TO SLOW THE DECENT. THE ENGINE WAS TRAILING SMOKE BUT STILL RUNNING WITH A SMALL SPIKE IN RPM. PILOT REALIZED HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE MAKE THE LANDING PAD AND PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATION 80 YARDS FROM THE NORMAL LANDING PAD. PLIOT SAFELY SHUT DOWN THE HELICOPTER. PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES TO HIM OR THE TWO PASSENGERS.

## 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 ERA17LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA257), Jul 24, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N828RD), Myrtle Beach, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of available power to the main rotor due to a fractured exhaust pushrod and housing, which allowed engine oil to coat the V-belts. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to…

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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