# Accident 20240406004099A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Key Biscayne, FL, April 6, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 6, 2024, 14:00 local time
- Place: Key Biscayne, FL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 25.6641° N, 80.1398° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.6641&lon=-80.1398&mi=10
- Aircraft: N234ZT, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N234ZT) (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: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 793 total, 725 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA24LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA166) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240406004099A

## Narrative

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

PART 91 OPERATION ROBINSON R44, REGISTRATION ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ SERIAL NUMBER 30027 DEPARTING MIAMI EXECUTIVE AIRPORT (KTMB) TO ELEUTHERA BAHAMAS, WITH ONE PILOT ON BOARD, 20 MINUTES INTO FLIGHT HELICOPTER LOSS ENGINE POWER, WITH PILOT ATTEMPTING TO RETURN TO MIAMI EXECUTIVE AIRPORT (KTMB) BUT CRASHING INTO OCEAN HALF A MILE OF LIGHT HOUSE OF VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE. HELICOPTER SUSTAIN MAJOR DAMAGE SUBMERGED IN SALTWATER PILOT WITH MINOR INJURIES. AIRCRAFT REGISTERED UNDER ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^

## 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 ERA24LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA166), Apr 6, 2024: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N234ZT), Key Biscayne, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.

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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