# NTSB CEN21LA284: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N202SM, Reserve, LA, June 10, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 10, 2021, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Reserve, LA · on airport property - Coordinates: 30.08747, -90.58283 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0875&lon=-90.5828&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 103308 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103308/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103308 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA284 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/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 engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he started the helicopter at the refueling pad and hover-taxied to the taxiway and then onto the runway. He increased collective and started the takeoff sequence. When the helicopter was about 10 ft above the runway, and airspeed reached about 20 kts, the engine lost total power. The helicopter touched down hard onto the runway surface. The right landing skid collapsed, and the helicopter slid off the runway surface onto the grass. The helicopter’s lower fuselage structure sustained substantial damage. Examination of the helicopter and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure of the engine that would have precluded normal operation. No determination was made as to the reason for the reported loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On June 10, 2021, about 1515 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N202SM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Reserve, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that after refueling the helicopter, he performed a normal start. After all gauges reached the normal operating temperatures, he performed a magneto check, and brought the helicopter to a hover. He then hover-taxied to runway 35 with the intention of performing takeoffs and landings. Upon entering runway 35, the pilot increased power and applied forward cyclic. The pilot reported that when the helicopter reached an altitude of about 10 ft above the runway and a forward airspeed of about 20 knots he heard a sputtering sound from the engine with an associated loss in power. The pilot described the sound as being similar to when the mixture is leaned to idle cut off and the engine starts to shut down. The helicopter yawed briefly to the left, and touched down hard onto the runway surface. The right landing skid collapsed and the helicopter slid off the runway surface onto the grass. The helicopter’s lower fuselage structure was substantially damaged. The helicopter’s most recent inspection was an annual inspection, completed on November 20, 2020. As part of this inspection, the electric fuel pump was replaced with a serviceable pump and the engine air intake hose was replaced in accordance with Robinson Helicopters Service Bulletin SB-100. Examination of the helicopter and engine following recovery was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector. The inspection of the helicopter revealed that both the main and auxiliary fuel tanks were about half full with a liquid consistent with aviation gasoline, with no signs of contamination. The gascolator was removed and found to be full of fuel, with fuel freely flowing from the inlet. The engine controls moved free and correct with no binding. The lower spark plugs from all six cylinders were removed and found to be unremarkable. The engine was rotated by hand with no signs of binding or mechanical noises. Thumb compression was attained on all six cylinders. All rocker arms moved appropriately with oil flowing thru rocker arms with valve covers removed. The spin-on engine oil filter was removed, cut open for examination and was found to be unremarkable. No obstruction in engine air intake was observed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N202SM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N202SM-2022-03-05), registration cancelled 2022-03-05, S/N 12277 (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: 12277 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 724 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: State Machinery & Equipment Acquisition LLC - Registered owner: State Machinery & Equipment Acquisition LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 2020 - Airport: APS, Port of South Louisiana Exec Regional Airport, runway 35, 5,151 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 28, 2020; seat: right; flight hours: 1,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 25.2 in the last 90 days, 17.3 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KAPS - METAR: METAR KAPS 102015Z AUTO 24009KT 10SM CLR 32/21 A2998 RMK AO2 T03220209= ## 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 20210610006619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210610006619A), Jun 10, 2021: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Reserve, LA, Substantial damage. On 6/10/2021 at approximately 1500 hours I was located at the port of south Louisiana regional airport refueling N202SM. After refueling the helicopter, I… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 16, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103308. 8.4 MB in all. - Pilot statement to insurance company (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14798613&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Brian%20Harrison%20statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector field notes (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14799635&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Field%20Notes%20-%20CEN21LA284-Rel.pdf - On scene photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12414176&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=on%20scene%20photos-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records excerpts (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14799523&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 544 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14847103&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Retention-Release-of-Wreckage-Form%20-%20CEN21LA284%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.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.