# NTSB CEN24LA135: Robinson Helicopter R44, N3040P, Knox City, TX, March 13, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 13, 2024, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Knox City, TX - Coordinates: 33.43614, -99.815539 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4361&lon=-99.8155&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193935 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193935/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193935 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA135 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a rollover and an impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis During takeoff in the helicopter, the pilot reduced collective control input. Once the skids began to lift off the ground, the pilot felt the helicopter spin to the left. The pilot applied corrective right pedal input and pulled up on the collective. Once the skids were off the ground, the helicopter spun harder to the left, and the pilot could not overcome the spin. The helicopter rolled onto its side, which resulted in substantial damage to the tail boom, fuselage, and main rotors. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3040P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3040P), registered now, S/N 1802, built 2007 (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: 1802 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 2598 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cedar Ridge Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 2023 - Destination: RPH, Graham, TX - Airport: F75, Harrison Field - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 20, 2023; seat: right; flight hours: 125 total, 125 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 18 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: KF05, 54 nm away - METAR: KF05 131735Z AUTO 24018KT 10SM CLR 26/05 A2972 RMK A02 T02550046 ## 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 20240313002029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240313002029A), Mar 13, 2024: Robinson Helicopter R44, Knox City, TX, Substantial damage. On March 13, 2024, at approximately 1200, a Robinson R44 helicopter, was involved in a dynamic rollover during takeoff at the Knox City, Texas airport (F85).… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193935. 7.0 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN24LA135 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 6.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17022470&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN24LA135_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs CEN24LA135 (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 332 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17022539&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20CEN24LA135-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record summary of telephone call with pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17022557&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Summary%20of%20Telephone%20Call%20with%20Pilot%20%20CEN24LA135-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.