# NTSB CEN10CA369: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N74546, Austin, TX, July 4, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 4, 2010, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Austin, TX
- Coordinates: 30.408056, -97.876388 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4081&lon=-97.8764&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA369
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76524/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76524
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA369

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter, resulting in impact with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to ensure the door was properly secured prior to flight.

## Findings

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

- [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/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)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: 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

The helicopter had just departed a private heli-pad when the pilot's door opened. The pilot stated he became distracted trying to close the door and hit some trees and had a hard landing. Examination of the helicopter showed some of the main rotor blades were bent and separated, and the fuselage was bent. The pilot stated there was nothing wrong with the helicopter prior to impact.

## Factual narrative

The helicopter had just departed a private heli-pad when the pilot's door opened. The pilot stated he became distracted trying to close the door and hit some trees and had a hard landing. Examination of the helicopter showed some of the main rotor blades were bent and separated, and the fuselage was bent. The pilot stated there was nothing wrong with the helicopter prior to impact.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74546](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74546-2012-09-11), registration cancelled 2012-09-11, S/N 11095, built 2006 (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: 11095
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: N/A, Austin, TX
- Destination: LagoVista, TX
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: N/A, Private Helipad

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20100704041999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100704041999A), Jul 4, 2010: Robinson He R44 II, Austin, TX, Substantial damage. The helicopter pilot performed a max power climb out during which time he heard noise from the right door area. Reaching for the door across his body with his…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 2, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76524. 521 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 521 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333740&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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