# Accident 20240923013399A: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Ravenel, SC, September 23, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 23, 2024, 07:45 local time
- Place: Ravenel, SC
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.8286° N, 80.2727° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8286&lon=-80.2727&mi=10
- Aircraft: N153LA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N153LA) (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: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,782 total, 161 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA24LA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA393) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240923013399A

## Narrative

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

EON-DRA MESSAGE TEXT: RAVENEL, SC: ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, R44, WAS EXECUTING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A FARM WITH CATTLE AT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, SC WHEN THE SKID IMPACTED THE GROUND DURING A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO UPEND AND LAND ONTO ITS SIDE. POB: 1, INJURIES: NONE, DAMAGE: SUBSTANTIAL. 09/23/2024 2345Z

PILOT STATEMENT: PRACTICING LOW-LEVEL TRAINING/PRECISION MANEUVERS (HOVER, TURNS ABOUT A POINT, WIRE STOP, ETC.) IN PASTURE AT MY HOME. WHILE PRACTICING A WIRE STOP, I FAILED TO APPRECIATE HOW CLOSE I WAS TO THE GROUND CAUGHT THE RIGHT SKID AND ROLLED. PASTURE IS LEVEL. WRECKAGE STAYED INTACT AND IS ALL LOCATED IN ONE PIECE EXCEPT FOR 2' SECTION OF MAIN ROTOR BLADE WHICH WAS THROWN APPROX. 50'.

## 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 ERA24LA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA393), Sep 23, 2024: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N153LA), Ravenel, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain, which resulted in the right skid contacting the ground and a subsequent rollover.

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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