# NTSB ENG15RA012: Robinson R44 - II, Waikaia, New Zealand, January 23, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation
- Date: January 23, 2015
- Place: Waikaia, New Zealand
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Led by another country's authority
- NTSB office: Aviation Engineering Division
- Lead agency: Other
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ENG15RA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90774/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG15RA012

## Factual narrative

On January 23, 2015, a Robinson R44 II experienced a severe in-flight vibration, after which the pilot successfully landed the helicopter. A subsequent inspection found a crack on one of the main rotor blades. This incident is being investigated by the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and the NTSB is participating as the United States Accredited Representative to the New Zealand TAIC as the State of Design and State of Manufacture of the helicopter. For additional information, contact the New Zealand TAIC at: Transport Accident Investigation Commission Level 16 AXA Centre 80 The Terrace P.O. Box 10323 The Terrace Wellington 6143 New Zealand Tel.: (64) 4-473-0199 E-mail: inquiries@taic.org.nz Fax: (64) 4-499-1510 Website: http://www.taic.org.nz

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337) (defining event)

## Aircraft

- Registration: ZK-HPC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R44 - II (II)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 10525
- Damage: Substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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