# NTSB ERA09WA066: Robinson R44, Yoro, Honduras, October 1, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Foreign investigation
- Date: October 1, 2008, 12:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Yoro, Honduras
- Coordinates: 15.350555, -87.126663
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=15.3506&lon=-87.1267&mi=10
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Led by another country's authority
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Lead agency: Other
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09WA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09WA066

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Factual narrative

On October 1, 2008, about 1220 central standard time, a Robinson R44, Honduran registration HR-AUC, was substantially damaged during a takeoff attempt near Yoro, Honduras. The Honduran certificated private pilot was seriously injured and three passengers incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, intended for La Mesa International Airport (MHLM), near San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The flight was operating under Honduran flight regulations. According to Honduran authorities, the helicopter was taking off from a confined mountainous area, at an altitude of 2,950 feet. About 50 feet above the ground, the main rotor blades brushed against a pine tree, and the helicopter experienced a loss of rotor rpm. The helicopter then descended, impacted uneven terrain on the side of the mountain, and rolled over. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Honduras. Further information may be obtained from: Republica de Honduras Secretaria de Obras Publicas, Transporte, y Vivienda Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil Apartado Postal 30145 Tegucigalpa, M.D.C., Honduras Tel: (504) 233-3683 This report is for informational purposes only, and only contains information released by the Republic of Honduras.

## Aircraft

- Registration: HR-AUC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R44
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 11574
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Non-U.S., commercial
- Operator: Aerocentro de Honduras
- Registered owner: Aerocentro de Honduras
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: None, Yoro
- Destination: MHLM, San Pedro Sula
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; injuries: serious

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC)

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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