# NTSB DEN08CA016: Robinson R-44 II, N223Z, Cleveland, GA, October 21, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 21, 2007, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Cleveland, GA
- Coordinates: 34.591388, -83.763336
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5914&lon=-83.7633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66956
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66956/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA016

## Probable cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the landing, resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter. Contributing to the accident was the windy conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

According to the student pilot, during the last approach, at approximately two to four feet above the ground, a gust of wind blew the helicopter to the right. He reported that the main rotor impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage. The student pilot reported no mechanical anomalies prior to the accident. Reported winds were 100 degrees at 9 knots. The student pilot estimated the winds were from 360 degrees at 12 knots.

## Factual narrative

According to the student pilot, he was practicing approaches and landings on his private property. During the last approach, at approximately two to four feet above the ground, a gust of wind blew the helicopter to the right. The student pilot reported that the main rotor impacted the ground. Examination of the helicopter, conducted by an FAA Inspector revealed that the fuselage was crushed up, the rotor mast was bent forward, the front skid was separated from the fuselage, and all the rotor blades were destroyed. The student pilot reported no mechanical anomalies prior to the accident. Automated weather at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport (GVL), Gainesville, Georgia, approximately 19 miles south of the accident site, reported winds 100 degrees at 9 knots. The student pilot estimated the winds were from 360 degrees at 12 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N223Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N223Z-2011-10-12), registration cancelled 2011-10-12, S/N 10415, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R-44 II
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 10415
- Airframe hours: 400
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE 245 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LZU, Lawrenceville, GA
- Destination: GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 48; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 64 total, 64 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: KGVL, 19 nm away

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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