# NTSB DEN05CA097: Robinson R44 II, N373DM, Indianola, UT, June 26, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 26, 2005, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Indianola, UT
- Coordinates: 40.141387, -111.661109
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1414&lon=-111.6611&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05CA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05CA097

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm which resulted in a loss of control and a hard landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot  was attempting to land the helicopter in a sage brush meadow at an elevation of 6,100 feet msl.  While in effective translational lift at 12 to 17 feet agl, the helicopter lost rotor RPM, and the pilot applied throttle in an attempt to increase rotor RPM.  Subsequently, the helicopter entered an uncontrolled descent from approximately 10 feet agl, landed hard, and rolled over.  One main rotor blade was separated, and the fuselage sustained substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

On June 26, 2005, approximately 1200 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R44 II single-engine helicopter, N373DM, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control while landing near Indianola, Utah.  The private pilot and three passengers were not injured.  The helicopter was registered to Fly, LLC, Panaca, Nevada, and operated by the pilot.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.  The flight departed the Spanish Fork-Springville Airport (U77), Spanish Fork, Utah, approximately 0900.

According to the Pilot Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported he was attempting to land in a sage brush meadow at an elevation of 6,100 feet msl.  While in effective translational lift at 12 to 17 feet agl, the helicopter lost rotor RPM, and the pilot applied throttle in an attempt to increase rotor RPM.  Subsequently, the helicopter entered an uncontrolled descent from approximately 10 feet agl, landed hard, and rolled over.  One main rotor blade was separated, and the fuselage sustained substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N373DM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N373DM-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 10373, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R44 II
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 10373
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fly LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: U77, Spanish Fork, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; medical: class 3; flight hours: 143 total, 1 in this make and model, 58 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20050626011369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050626011369A), Jun 26, 2005: Robsin R44RAVENII, Indianola, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was making approach to open field site with three passengers plus himself on board. Temp was approx 55F, pa 6100 MSL, hald tanks of fuel, headed…

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.

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