# Accident 20240409004319A: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, South Kingston, RI, April 9, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 9, 2024, 08:50 local time
- Place: South Kingston, RI
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: 8BVA
- Location: 41.4374° N, 71.5725° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4374&lon=-71.5725&mi=10
- Aircraft: N331EL, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N331EL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (registry code 7640122, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (registry code 41899, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 12,050 total, 7,550 in this make and model, 39 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA24LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA171) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240409004319A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT REPORTED HE FLEW SOUTHWEST AT 800 FEET MSL TO WORDENS' POND TO PERFORM A FLIGHT OVER THE POND.  HE BEGAN EXECUTING A SERIES OF FLIGHT PARAMETERS, BEGINNING WITH A 10 FOOT HOVER, THEN A CLIMB VERTICAL TO 50 FEET, THEN DESCEND BACK DOWN TO A 10 FOOT HOVER.  THIS WAS REPEATED SUCCESSFULLY 2 TIMES.  THE NEXT FLIGHT REGIME WAS TO START AT A 10 FOOT HOVER AND PERFORM A NORMAL TAKEOFF PROFILE AT 10 FEET AND ACCELERATE TO 40 KNOTS, THEN ESTABLISH A SLIGHT CLIMB TO 50 FEET.  THIS WAS PERFORMED SUCCESSFULLY ONE TIME.  UPON REACHING 50 FEET THE PILOT STATED HE STARTED TO DECELERATE AND BEGAN A DESCENT BACK DOWN TO A 10 FOOT HOVER.  THE HELICOPTERS FRONT SKIDS CAUGHT THE WATER AND ENTERED THE POND.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER EXITED THE HELICOPTER TO THE TOP OF THE SKID ABOVE THE WATER LINE AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE.  THE PILOT REPORTED SKIES CLEAR AND WINDS CALM WITH NO RIPPLES ON WATER SURFACE WHICH PRODUCED A MIRRORING EFFECT HINDERING DEPTH PERCEPTION.

## 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 ERA24LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA171), Apr 9, 2024: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N331EL), South Kingstown, RI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude.

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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