- Date
- September 9, 2005, 11:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place
- Jackson, WY
- Injuries
- 3 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Uncontrolled descent
- Aircraft
- N944URobinson R44 II
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 31, 2006
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 20050909020589A
- Case key
- 62484
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during initial takeoff climb resulting in an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's encounter in settling with power.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Shortly after departure, the pilot noticed the rotor RPM had begun to diminish, and the helicopter settled towards terrain. The pilot attempted to apply additional throttle; however, the throttle was already in the full open position. The pilot then lowered the collective and reduced the throttle. The helicopter continued to settle toward terrain, and the pilot applied full throttle. The helicopter contacted the ground, rotated 180 degrees, and came to rest upright.
Factual narrative
This report is based on information received by the NTSB. Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case. For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N944U
- Reported as
- Robinson R44 II
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 10766
- Engine
- Lycoming IO-540, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Upper Limit Aviation
- Registered owner
- Tumble Weed Leasing Company Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- JAC · Jackson, WY
- Destination
- SLC · Salt Lake City, UT
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 23
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Commercial, Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2
- Flight hours
- 736 total · 50 in this make and model · 129 in the last 90 days · 24 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.
Other investigations on N944U · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.