# NTSB CEN10CA082: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N442RS, Abilene, TX, December 18, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 18, 2009, 13:38 local (19:38 UTC)
- Place: Abilene, TX
- Coordinates: 32.411388, -99.681945
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4114&lon=-99.6819&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75187/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75187
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA082

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the air taxi with shifting winds.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-from runway: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While air-taxiing the helicopter away from the runway, the helicopter encountered an unexpected gust of wind while passing near a hangar. The private pilot lost control of the helicopter and was unable to regain control before the helicopter's tail rotor impacted the ground. The helicopter subsequently landed hard and remained in the upright position. Neither the pilot nor the passenger were injured. An onscene examination of the helicopter by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors failed to reveal any preimpact anomalies. The pilot reported that there were no known mechanical malfunctions or failures.

## Factual narrative

While air-taxiing the helicopter away from the runway, the helicopter encountered an unexpected gust of winds while passing near a hanger. The private pilot lost control as the helicopter, and was unable to regain control before the helicopter's tail rotor impacted the ground. The helicopter subsequently landed hard and remained in the upright position. Neither the pilot or passenger were injured. An on-scene examination of the helicopter by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors failed to reveal any pre-impact anomalies. On the NTSB Form 6120.1 submitted by the private pilot, there were no known mechanical malfunctions or failures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N442RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N442RS-2013-06-17), registration cancelled 2013-06-17, S/N 11035, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 11035
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Price Family Holdings LLC
- Registered owner: Price Family Holdings LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Big Spring, TX
- Destination: ABI, Abilene, TX
- Airport: ABI, Abilene Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 3,431 total, 562 in this make and model, 3,222 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: KABI

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 6, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75187. 555 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 555 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.

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