# NTSB CEN11CA511: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N915BW, Broomfield, CO, July 23, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 23, 2011, 12:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Broomfield, CO - Coordinates: 39.914722, -105.1175 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9147&lon=-105.1175&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 81238 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA511 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81238/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81238 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA511 ## Probable cause A loss of control due to the pilot's diverted attention as a result of an open door. ## 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) - [Doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035200): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Related operating info; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035200/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035200/cases.md) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: 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) - [Initial climb: 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) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the right door opened during takeoff; he lost control of the helicopter while attempting to secure the door. The helicopter impacted the ramp, the skids separated, and the firewall and tail rotor sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident. He stated that, prior to departure, he checked the security of the door with elbow pressure but postulated that the securing pin was not fully engaged. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the takeoff was normal and as the helicopter accelerated forward, the right door of the helicopter came open. The pilot, who was seated in the right seat, reacted by attempting to secure the door and subsequently lost control of the helicopter. The helicopter impacted the ramp. During the impact, the left skid separated, the right skid was crushed up and bent out, and the firewall and tailrotor were bent. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident. He did state that he had checked the security of the door with elbow pressure prior to departure but postulated that the securing pin was not fully engaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N915BW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N915BW), registered now, S/N 11428, 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-AE1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (registry code 41899, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 11428 - Airframe hours: 1451 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 23, 2010 - Departed: KBJC, Broomfield, CO - Destination: KBJC, Broomfield, CO - Airport: KBJC, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Ai ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 16, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 596 total, 444 in this make and model, 492 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 7 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KBJC ## 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 20110723016289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110723016289A), Jul 23, 2011: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Broomfield, CO, Substantial damage. On July 23, 2011 at 11:33AM a Robinson R-44 raven ii, N915BW,registered to mile high rotors LLC, struck the tarmac with the tail rotor and landed hard during… ## Other investigations on N915BW (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR13FA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA264), Jun 6, 2013: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N915BW), Los Angeles, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of helicopter control following a precautionary landing, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81238. 702 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 702 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351935&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. --- 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.