# NTSB CEN15CA039: Robinson Helicopter R66, N67GA, Baton Rouge, LA, October 29, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 29, 2014, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Baton Rouge, LA - Coordinates: 30.532777, -91.150001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5328&lon=-91.1500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - 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): 90359 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90359/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90359 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA039 ## Probable cause An in-flight bird strike. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 359 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R66, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7640130), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The instructor pilot stated the intent of the flight was to practice autorotations, 180 degree autorotations and emergency procedures at another local airport. While enroute, approximately 1500 feet above the ground, three birds flew toward the helicopter. The instructor pilot took the controls as one of the birds and the retreating main rotor blade collided. The pilot landed the helicopter without further incident. Examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the main rotor blade. ## Factual narrative The instructor pilot stated the intent of the flight was to practice autorotations, 180 degree autorotations and emergency procedures at another local airport. While enroute, approximately 1500 feet above the ground, three birds flew toward the helicopter. The instructor pilot took the controls as one of the birds and the retreating main rotor blade collided. The pilot landed the helicopter without further incident. Examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the main rotor blade. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67GA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67GA), registered now, S/N 0485, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R66 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R66](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r66) (registry code 7640130) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C300/A1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c300-a1) (registry code 54232, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0485 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 662.91 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C300/A1 300 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Guidance Academy, LLC, doing business as Guidance Aviation - Registered owner: Guidance Louisiana LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 13, 2014 - Departed: BTR, BATON ROUGE, LA - Destination: L38, GONZALES, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 28; injuries: none; private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 942 total, 43 in this make and model, 788 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 99 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 29; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 8, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 112 total, 18 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KBTR ## Other investigations on N67GA (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 WPR26FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA031), Oct 23, 2025: Robinson Helicopter R66 (N67GA), Ekalaka, MT, substantial damage, 4 fatal, investigation ongoing ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90359. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426020&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.