# NTSB CEN14LA149: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N360AH, Presidio, TX, February 24, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 24, 2014, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Presidio, TX - Coordinates: 29.636943, -103.984443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6369&lon=-103.9844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 88848 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88848/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88848 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA149 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm when transitioning the helicopter from a hover to forward flight, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: 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) - [Maneuvering-hover: 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 The pilot reported that he was surveying ranch land and that the helicopter was hovering about 12 to 15 feet above the ground just before the accident. While transitioning to forward flight, the helicopter was unable to maintain sufficient power and altitude. The low rotor rpm horn sounded, and the pilot decreased the collective to try to "fly out of it," but the helicopter was too close to the ground. The helicopter subsequently lost tail rotor effectiveness and spun around once before impacting the ground and rolling over. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On February 24, 2014, at 1330 central standard time, a Robinson R44II helicopter, N360AH, rolled over while hovering in Presidio, Texas. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. A second passenger was seriously injured. The helicopter as substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to Nopal Services LLC, and was operated by the private pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from Presidio, Texas. The pilot reported he was surveying ranch land and was hovering at an altitude of 12 to 15 feet above the ground just prior to the accident. He reported he was transitioning to forward flight and was not able to maintain sufficient power and altitude. The low rotor rpm horn sounded and the pilot decreased the collective to try and "fly out of it", but the helicopter was too close to the ground. The helicopter lost tail rotor effectiveness and spun around one revolution prior to contacting the ground and rolling over. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures/malfunctions of the helicopter that would have prevented the normal operation of the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N360AH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N360AH), registered now, S/N 12594 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II (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: 12594 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 543 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James L. Donnell, Jr - Registered owner: Nopal Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 2013 - Departed: Presidio, TX - Destination: Presidio, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 239.3 total, 239.3 in this make and model, 166.1 as pilot in command, 22.5 in the last 90 days, 12.3 in the last 30 days, 4.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 11 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: MRF, 50 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 20140224002339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140224002339A), Feb 24, 2014: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Marfa, TX, Substantial damage. On 2/24/2014, at 13:30, a Robinson R-44 ii, helicopter bearing registration number N360AH, registered to nopal services LLC, was hovering above the ground at… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88848. 630 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 630 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415298&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.