# NTSB investigations: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 2 of 4 · 160 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB ANC22LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA001.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 10, 2021 · N555EL · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The unmanned aircraft pilot’s failure to yield the right of way to the helicopter.
- [NTSB ERA21LA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA387.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Miami, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 28, 2021 · N212HT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of helicopter control after landing. Also causal was the pilot’s intentional operation of the helicopter without the required training, experience, and endorsements.
- [NTSB CEN21LA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA369.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Wheeling, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 11, 2021 · N4043B · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.
- [NTSB CEN21LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA349.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Randolph, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 31, 2021 · N285RG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN21LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA339.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · West Liberty, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2021 · N983HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a wire while maneuvering at low altitude during an aerial application flight, resulting in a collision with the wire.
- [NTSB ERA21LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA295.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Point Harbor, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2021 · N4529J · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation over a large body of water and a high velocity impact with the water. Contributing to the accident…
- [NTSB CEN21FA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA330.md): Robinson R44 · Elgin, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 19, 2021 · N44BJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter under powerlines, which resulted in a main rotor blade striking a powerline, causing the helicopter to descend from a low altitude and impact terrain.
- [NTSB ERA21LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA292.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Princeton, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 16, 2021 · N512RT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning in that he failed to accurately determine the takeoff weight of the helicopter, which resulted in exceeding the helicopter’s maximum weight capability.
- [NTSB CEN21LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA284.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Reserve, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 10, 2021 · N202SM · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN21LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA173.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Dustin, OK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 26, 2021 · N178DF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s insufficient monitoring of the helicopter’s power while flying at low altitude and at low airspeed, which resulted in the loss of rotor rpm and impact with a tree and terrain.
- [NTSB GAA21WA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA047.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Rosh Pinna, Israel · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Mar 13, 2021 · N97KC · Substantial damage
- [NTSB CEN21LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA109.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Albany, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 9, 2021 · N322SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate pretakeoff checks which resulted in the magneto switch (key) remaining in the OFF position during the takeoff sequence and initial climb and the right magneto grounding intermittently.
- [NTSB CEN21LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA077.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Marietta, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 5, 2020 · N371MP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a transmission wire during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA21LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA046.md): Robinson R44 · Austell, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 18, 2020 · N442JP · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate clearance above the gravel surface in a hover, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB WPR20LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA119.md): Robinson R44 · Hillsboro, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 6, 2020 · N725GT · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power during takeoff due to the delamination of the fuel servo induction air inlet duct tube.
- [NTSB CEN20LA442](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA442.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Sterling City, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 12, 2020 · N4386W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN20CA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA085.md): Robinson R44 · Marfa, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 14, 2020 · N441KA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during low-altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB ERA20LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA054.md): Robinson R44 · San Antonio, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 14, 2019 · N440AH · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to complete all necessary steps of a service bulletin and subsequent failure to identify the loose lower actuator bearing support bracket during inspections, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, resulted…
- [NTSB GAA19CA531](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA531.md): Robinson R44 · Nuiqsut, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 6, 2019 · N447PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to land downwind from unsecured debris, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor disk ingesting foreign objects.
- [NTSB CEN19LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA250.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Lyons, NE · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2019 · N440EM · Substantial damage
  > The engine's low cylinder compression, which resulted in low rotor rpm and a subsequent dynamic rollover following landing on soft terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA473](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA473.md): Robinson R44 · Fessenden, ND · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 31, 2019 · N3066T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB CEN19LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA240.md): Robinson R44 · Blair, NE · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2019 · N7508Z · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the lower actuator bearing support bracket, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, the loss of belt tension on the main rotor drive system, and the subsequent forced landing on sloped terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA428](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA428.md): Robinson R44 · Council Bluff, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2019 · N124LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper cyclic input during liftoff from a landing deck, which resulted in the right skid hooking onto an opening on the landing deck and a subsequent dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB ERA19TA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA204.md): Robinson R44 · Parsons, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jun 29, 2019 · N883TY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver the helicopter at low altitude over a river, which resulted in a wire strike and subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN19TA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19TA178.md): Robinson R44 · La Ward, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jun 21, 2019 · N445AP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during a course reversal, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA476](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA476.md): Robinson R44 · Lebanon, MO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 9, 2019 · N724H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of yaw control and failure to maintain a proper descent rate and his subsequent improper use of the collective instead of the antitorque pedals to correct the yaw, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN19LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA162.md): Robinson R44 · Last Chance, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 8, 2019 · N4504L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while descending with a tailwind during an aerial application maneuver, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN19FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA160.md): Robinson R44 · Cass, AR · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 3, 2019 · N41351 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB ERA19FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA142.md): Robinson R44 II · Tampa, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2019 · N4046J · Substantial damage
  > Contamination of and an inadequate bond between the two layers of fabric comprising the helicopter engine's air induction inlet duct, which resulted a partial collapse of the duct, obstruction of the airflow into the engine, and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN19LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA065.md): Robinson R44 · Uvalde, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 8, 2019 · N484AB · Substantial damage
  > The slipping of the sprag clutch due to galling of the sprags and corresponding sprag contact surfaces within the clutch assembly, which rendered the helicopter uncontrollable.
- [NTSB GAA19CA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA110.md): Robinson R44 · Grace, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 3, 2019 · N4246Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.
- [NTSB GAA19CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA066.md): Robinson R44 · Lihue, HI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 10, 2018 · N445KP · Substantial damage
  > The passenger’s improper decision to hold her cell phone outside the helicopter, which resulted in it departing the helicopter and striking the tail rotor.
- [NTSB WPR19LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA002.md): Robinson R44 · Salinas, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 7, 2018 · N611TH · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power after takeoff due to faulty wiring to the engine governor.
- [NTSB GAA18CA534](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA534.md): Robinson R44 · Girdwood, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 30, 2018 · N99645 · Substantial damage
  > The fisherman's fishing rod striking the helicopter’s rotating main rotor disk during loading.
- [NTSB GAA18CA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA453.md): Robinson R44 · Elma, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2018 · N466EL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA18CA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA430.md): Robinson R44 · Okawville, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 9, 2018 · N944DC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper preflight weight and balance calculation, which resulted in his operating the helicopter over its maximum gross takeoff weight and in its subsequent failure to climb.
- [NTSB ERA18LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA161.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Fort Morgan, AL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2018 · N755KT · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examinations did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB WPR18LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA133.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Borrego Springs, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 30, 2018 · N423ML · Substantial damage
  > The loss of the helicopter’s drive system for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence, which led to an autorotation that resulted in a hard landing and rollover on uneven sandy terrain.
- [NTSB CEN18LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA087.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Loveland, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 26, 2018 · N878BC · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The airplane pilot’s failure to see and avoid the helicopter while in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision between the two aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the airplane pilot’s misunderstanding of the helicopter pilot’s…
- [NTSB GAA18CA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA089.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Newark, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 13, 2017 · N441ML · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter during takeoff, which resulted in dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB GAA18CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA066.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · New Orleans, LA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 29, 2017 · N744WT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to land the helicopter with both skids on the trailer platform, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR18LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA031.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Page, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2017 · N744BS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control of the helicopter while transitioning from a hover to forward flight.
- [NTSB ANC17LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA040.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Solomon, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2017 · N4138M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above water, and his loss of situational awareness, which resulted in an inadvertent descent and collision with water.
- [NTSB WPR17LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA159.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 21, 2017 · N3254E · Substantial damage
  > An improper repair of the right magneto's tachometer and governor signal wire, which failed during cruise flight and initiated a simultaneous malfunction of both the engine tachometer and governor control system, which resulted in erroneous and contradictory…
- [NTSB GAA17CA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA401.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Paoli, IN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 7, 2017 · N3203D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver an overgross weight helicopter at a low altitude and airspeed with a gusting tailwind, which resulted in a high descent rate and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to…
- [NTSB GAA17CA383](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA383.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Easton, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 4, 2017 · N3025J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s distraction during liftoff due to the tail rotor chip warning light illuminating, which resulted in the helicopter drifting right, the skid touching down, and a dynamic roll-over.
- [NTSB WPR17LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA140.md): Robinson R44 · Bella Vista, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2017 · N488AS · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during low-altitude maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have…
- [NTSB CEN17LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA219.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Douglas, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2017 · N590GG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to control the helicopter's descent after encountering a sudden wind shift to a tailwind while performing a near maximum gross weight landing at a high density altitude.
- [NTSB CEN17FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA209.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Dimmitt, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 3, 2017 · N7091F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incapacitation due to scarring from previous heart attacks and severe hypertrophy of the left ventricular wall which resulted in arrhythmia and a loss of control while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA17LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA168.md): Robinson R44 · Newton, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2017 · N728CB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during out-of-ground-effect maneuvering at a low airspeed with a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?engine=41899&page=3

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41899'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?engine=41899&page=2

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OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
