# NTSB CEN11CA213: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N74816, Glenwood Springs, CO, March 1, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 1, 2011, 10:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Glenwood Springs, CO
- Coordinates: 39.506111, -107.308891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5061&lon=-107.3089&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78499/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78499
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA213

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper takeoff procedure, which resulted in a dynamic rollover when the left skid contacted the ground.

## 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: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot refueled his helicopter and was performing a takeoff from an area near the airport’s fuel pumps. As the helicopter began to lift, the pilot allowed the helicopter’s tail to remain in a low attitude. As a result, the aft end of the left skid contacted the ground and the helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover. The helicopter came to rest on its left side, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot refueled his helicopter and was performing a takeoff from an area near the airport’s fuel pumps. As the helicopter began to lift, the pilot allowed the helicopter’s tail to remain in a low attitude. As a result, the aft end of the left skid contacted the ground and the helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover. The helicopter came to rest on its left side and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The helicopter’s fuselage and tail boom sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N74816 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 10982
- Airframe hours: 486
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: 244 Charlie Delta LLC
- Registered owner: 244 Charlie Delta LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 11, 2011
- Departed: GWS, Gleenwood Springs, CO
- Destination: Carbondale, CO
- Airport: GWS, Glenwood Springs Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 134 total, 18 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °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 20110301002369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110301002369A), Mar 1, 2011: Robinson He R44 II, Glenwood Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he was initiating his take off and caught the rear portion of his left skid on the asphault. The aircraft rolled over onto its left side.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78499. 506 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 506 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348684&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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