# NTSB DFW05CA169: Robinson R44, N744MD, Rayville, LA, June 19, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2005, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Rayville, LA - Coordinates: 32.411666, -91.84333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4117&lon=-91.8433&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Baton Rouge, Louisiana - NTSB case key (mKey): 61967 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61967/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA169 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control following an encounter with loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A contributing factor was the high density altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - loss of tail rotor effectiveness - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - aircraft weight and balance - high, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - autorotation - improper, pilot in command - flare - misjudged, pilot in command ## Analysis The 597-hour private pilot was departing on his third flight to the north. Immediately after take-off the helicopter spun to the right and the low rotor rpm warning sounded. The pilot stated "that as soon as the right yaw was felt, left rudder was applied but had no effect". At about 20 feet above the ground, the pilot entered an autorotation. The pilot further stated that, " evidently, I flared too much and the tail boom struck the ground". After the rotor stopped, the pilot and three passengers exited the helicopter. The FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21), page 11-10, states, "Under certain conditions of high weight, high temperature, or high density altitude, you might get into a situation where the (rotor) rpm is low even though you are using maximum throttle". The handbook continues, " since the tail rotor is geared to the main rotor, low main rotor rpm may prevent the tail rotor from producing enough thrust to maintain directional control". There was no mechanical deficiencies prior to the accident. The NTSB Investigator in Charge calculated the density altitude at 2,033 feet, and the take-off weight to be within 100 pounds of the helicopters maximum certified weight. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 2005, approximately 1430 central daylight time, a single-engine Robinson R44 helicopter, N744MD, was substantially damaged during a hard landing following an autorotation near Georgetown, Texas. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The helicopter was owned and operated by Drake's Landing Incorporated of Archibald, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight departed from a private airport, near Rayville, Louisiana, at 1430. The 597-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) he was departing to the north on his third flight of the day. Immediately after take-off the helicopter spun to the right and the low rotor rpm warning sounded. The pilot stated, "that as soon as the right yaw was felt, left rudder was applied but had no effect". At about 20 feet above the ground, the pilot entered an autorotation. The pilot further stated that, "evidently, I flared too much and the tail boom struck the ground". After the main rotor stopped, the pilot and three passengers exited the helicopter. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies prior to the accident. The helicopter came to rest upright on its belly, with the skids spread. The pilot reported damage to the helicopters tail boom, tail rotor blades, and skids. According to the FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21), page 11-10, states, "Under certain conditions of high weight, high temperature, or high density altitude, you might get into a situation where the (rotor) rpm is low even though you are using maximum throttle". The handbook continues, " since the tail rotor is geared to the main rotor, low main rotor rpm may prevent the tail rotor from producing enough thrust to maintain directional control". At 1453, the automated weather observing system at the Monroe Regional Airport (MLU) near Monroe, Louisiana , located approximately 11 miles northwest of the accident site, reported wind from 020 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, temperature 88 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 57 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.01 inches of Mercury. The NTSB Investigator in Charge calculated the density altitude at 2,033 feet, and the take-off weight to be within 100 pounds of the helicopter's maximum certified weight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N744MD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N744MD-2019-01-07), registration cancelled 2019-01-07, S/N 0259, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540F1 SERIE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540f1-serie) (registry code 41531, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 259 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Drakes Landing, Inc., doing business as Drakes Landing, Inc. - Registered owner: Drakes Landing, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Rayville, LA - Destination: Rayville, LA - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2004; seat: center; flight hours: 597 total, 111 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: SAT ## 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 20050619015289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050619015289A), Jun 19, 2005: Robsin R44, Raville, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was conducting short (15 minutes) flights for friends and family from private property location (see lat. Long. Coordinates). This flight was the… ## Other investigations on N744MD (1) 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. - [NTSB DFW06CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA066), Feb 4, 2006: Robinson R44 (N744MD), Rayville, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM, which resulted in a hard landing. 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.