# NTSB DFW08LA020: Robinson R-44, N744RG, Catarina, TX, October 24, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 24, 2007, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Catarina, TX - Coordinates: 28.430646, -99.230377 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4306&lon=-99.2304&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66953 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66953/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA020 ## Probable cause The loss of control due to the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees while hovering . A contributing factor was the low altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, hover - out of ground effect - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, hover - out of ground effect - judgment - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The certificated flight instructor lost control of the single-engine helicopter while hovering out of ground effect while on a deer counting flight. The pilot added that the helicopter was hovering into the wind when he experienced a "thump" in the flight controls followed by an uncontrollable right turn after the helicopter contacting a tree. It was reported that the low-rotor RPM audio sounded and the pilot lost control of the helicopter. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 2007, about 1345 central standard time, a single-engine Robinson R-44 helicopter, N744RG, was substantially damaged near Catarina, Texas. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) operated the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight instructor and his 3 passengers were not injured. The personal flight departed Wimberley, Texas, about midday en route to Catarina, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. According to the operator, the purpose of the flight was to count deer in the vicinity of the hunting grounds. During the deer counting flight, while hovering out-of-ground effect into the wind, the pilot experienced a "thump" in the flight controls followed by an uncontrollable right turn as a result of the helicopter contacting a tree. The pilot reported that the low-rotor RPM audio sounded and the pilot lost control of the helicopter resulting in a hard landing. The helicopter came to rest on its left side after which the pilot and three passengers exited the aircraft unassisted and uninjured. A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for helicopter and instrument helicopter along with a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. The pilot also held a flight instructor certificate with a helicopter rating. The pilot failed to complete the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) after several notifications and phone communication with the regional NTSB office. The pilot's flight time is unknown due to the pilot's failure to complete the required forms. The helicopter was a Robinson R-44. The operator revealed that the airframe had a total time of 196-hours at the time of the accident. Additionally, the last annual inspection date is unknown due to the pilot's failure to complete the appropriate forms. At 1353 CST an automated surface observing systems in Cotulla, Texas (KCOT), which was located 25 nautical miles (nm) of the accident site reported: skies clear; visibility 10 statue miles; winds from 360 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 18 knots; temperature 29 degrees Celsius; dew point 6 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.14 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N744RG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N744RG), registered now, S/N 1753, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-44 - 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 - Airframe hours: 196 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Wimberley, TX - Destination: Catarina, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2; last flight review August 1, 2007; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 14 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KCOT, 25 nm away ## 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 20071024828089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071024828089A), Oct 24, 2007: Robsin R44, Catarina, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 24, 2007, at approximately 1345 CST, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N744RG, sustained substantial damage upon landing after the helicopter began… 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.