# NTSB CEN14CA500: Robinson Helicopter R44, N9844N, Beaumont, TX, September 15, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 15, 2014, 21:30 UTC - Place: Beaumont, TX - Coordinates: 29.950834, -94.020553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9508&lon=-94.0206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 90097 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA500 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90097/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90097 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA500 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss tail rotor effectiveness while attempting a taxiway side-step during landing. Contributing to the accident was another pilot's failure to ensure the runway was clear before occupying the runway for takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot's statement, he made a radio call he was entering left base of the traffic pattern for the runway. He heard another radio call for an airplane taxiing to the runway and saw the airplane approaching the run-up area. The pilot made a radio call he was turning onto final for the runway. He saw the other airplane move toward the runway hold short line and he made another announcement he was on final approach for the runway. As he approached the runway end, the other airplane "nosed over the line." During the landing flare at midfield, the other aircraft made a radio call to takeoff on the runway. The pilot attempted to depart the runway area for the taxiway. As he turned the helicopter toward the taxiway, he felt the helicopter "swing hard and turn," then begin to spin. The pilot stated he lost control and landed hard "crushing" the skids. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot's statement, he made a radio call he was entering left base of the traffic pattern for the runway. He heard another radio call for an airplane taxiing to the runway and saw the airplane approaching the run-up area. The pilot made a radio call he was turning onto final for the runway. He saw the other airplane move toward the runway hold short line and he made another announcement he was on final approach for the runway. As he approached the runway end, the other airplane "nosed over the line." During the landing flare at midfield, the other aircraft made a radio call to takeoff on the runway. The pilot attempted to depart the runway area for the taxiway. As he turned the helicopter toward the taxiway, he felt the helicopter "swing hard and turn," then begin to spin. The pilot stated he lost control and landed hard "crushing" the skids. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9844N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9844N-2018-03-09), registration cancelled 2018-03-09, S/N 0450 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0450 - Engines: reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BPT, Beaumont, TX - Destination: BPT, Beaumont, TX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BPT, Jack Brooks Rgnl, runway 12, 6,750 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 9, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 434 total, 122 in this make and model, 239 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: BPT ## 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 20140915017089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140915017089A), Sep 15, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R44, Beaumont, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot was approaching Beaumont Municipal Airport (kbmt) runway 13. There was a C-172 waiting to depart the runway. As he maneuvered to a hover, the C-172… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90097. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426021&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement to FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426022&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20to%20FAA%20Inspector-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.