# NTSB ANC04LA024: Robinson R44, N323TC, Daytona Beach, FL, February 18, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 18, 2004, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Daytona Beach, FL - Coordinates: 29.079999, -81.046669 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0800&lon=-81.0467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58761 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC04LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58761/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA024 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while hover taxiing, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain and a rollover of the helicopter. A factor associated with the accident was a gusty wind condition. ## Analysis The airline transport certificated pilot was departing from the airport's heliport for a local area business flight. He said that gusty wind conditions prevailed during the accident takeoff, and that just after takeoff, while hover taxiing to the active runway, a strong gust of wind from the right pushed the helicopter to the left, and over an area of grass-covered terrain. The helicopter subsequently descended, the left skid contacted an area of grass-covered terrain, and the helicopter began to roll to the left. As the roll continued, the main rotor blades contacted terrain, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained structural damage to the tail boom, fuselage, and to the main rotor and tail rotor drive systems. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On February 18, 2004, about 1300 Eastern standard time, a skid-equipped Robinson R-44 helicopter, N323TC, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during aerial taxi for takeoff from the Spruce Creek Airport, Daytona Beach, Florida. The helicopter was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The helicopter was operated by Timberline Aviation Services LLC, a real estate development company, of Knoxville, Tennessee. The airline transport certificated pilot and the two passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on February 19, the pilot, who is an employee of the real estate development company, reported that the purpose of the flight was to look over an area for a prospective airpark renovation. The pilot added that gusty wind conditions prevailed during the accident takeoff. He said that just after takeoff, as he hover taxied the helicopter towards runway 05, a strong gust of wind from the right pushed the helicopter to the left, and over an area of grass-covered terrain. He said that the helicopter subsequently descended, the left skid contacted an area of grass-covered terrain, and the helicopter began to roll to the left. As the roll continued, the main rotor blades contacted the grass-covered terrain, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained structural damage to the tail boom, fuselage, and to the main rotor and tail rotor drive systems. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, taxi - aerial - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - grass - Roll over, descent - uncontrolled ## Aircraft - Registration: N323TC (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Robinson R44 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 10215 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE145 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Timberline Avaition Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 7FL6, Daytona Beach, FL - Destination: 7FL6, Daytona Beach, FL - Airport: 7FL6, Spruce Creek ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 13, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 10,899 total, 53 in this make and model, 5,844 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040218013699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040218013699A), Feb 18, 2004: Robsin R44RAVENII, Daytona Beach, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) During initial lift-off at approx 5' off the ground the pilot stated that gusty winds caused the aircraft to slide left 5-6 feet. The helicopter… 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. --- 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.