# NTSB CEN11CA627: Robinson Helicopter R44, N99FJ, Batesville, TX, August 26, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 26, 2011, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: Batesville, TX - Coordinates: 28.978332, -99.563056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9783&lon=-99.5631&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 November 29, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81729 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA627 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81729/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81729 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA627 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection that failed to ensure all tie-down clamps were removed prior to takeoff, which resulted in the helicopter’s dynamic rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not specified; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the helicopter was positioned on a trailer with clamps and blade holders. He stated that, during the preflight inspection, he forgot to remove the clamp that held the left skid to the trailer. During takeoff, the tie-down clamp did not give way and the helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover. The helicopter rolled to the left and impacted the ground, where it sustained structural damage. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the helicopter was positioned on a trailer with clamps and blade holders. The pilot added that during the preflight inspection, he forgot to remove the clamp, which held the left skid to the trailer. During takeoff, the tie-down clamp did not give way and the helicopter encountered dynamic rollover. The helicopter rolled to the left and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed structural damage to the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N99FJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99FJ-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N 0059, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-F1B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (registry code 42353, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0059 - Airframe hours: 5294 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-F1B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 2011 - Departed: Batesville, TX - Destination: Batesville, TX - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 2,500 total, 300 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 99 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KUVA, 24 nm away ## 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 20110826026299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110826026299A), Aug 26, 2011: Robinson Helicopter R44, Batesville, TX, Substantial damage. On August 26, 2011, the pilot was attempting to takeoff from his helo trailer but forgot to unlatch the left latch that holds the helicopter down and secured… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 14, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81729. 303 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 274 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355482&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.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.