# NTSB ERA13LA152: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N834RC, Ciales, PR, March 2, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 2, 2013, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Ciales, PR - Coordinates: 18.305833, -66.567779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.3058&lon=-66.5678&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 7, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA San Juan FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86339 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86339/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86339 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA152 ## Probable cause A loss of main rotor rpm for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the helicopter’s engine and associated components did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the helicopter was in cruise flight about 700 feet above ground level when he perceived a loss of rotor rpm and entered autorotation. During the descent, the helicopter turned 180 degrees, struck power lines, and collided with terrain. A postcrash fire consumed a significant portion of the helicopter. A detailed examination of the remaining portions of the helicopter, its engine, and associated components revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On March 2, 2013, about 1500 Atlantic standard time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N834RC, operated by a private individual, was destroyed when it collided with powerlines and terrain while making an autorotation following a reported loss of main rotor RPM near Ciales, Puerto Rico. P. R. The private pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed from a field, near Yauco, PR, about 1420, and was destined for Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (TJIG), San Juan, PR. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. While enroute at about 700 feet above ground level, the pilot observed the rotor rpm decaying and immediately entered a 180 degree autorotation. The helicopter subsequently collided with high tension wires and then impacted terrain. A post crash fire consumed a significant portion of the helicopter. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate, with a rating for a rotorcraft-helicopter. The pilot’s most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on February 19, 2013. The pilot reported 239 total hours of flight experience with 73 hours in the R44. The single-engine, single-rotor helicopter, serial number 11616, was powered by a Lycoming IO-540, 260-horsepower engine. An annual inspection was completed on October 1, 2012 at 743 total aircraft hours. Witnesses reported they saw a low flying helicopter making exploding noises and saw black smoke coming from it. The helicopter then collided with power lines, caught fire and crashed underneath the power lines. Examination of the engine by a FAA inspector revealed no external impact or fire damage to the cylinders or manifolds. The engine was free to move when examined by a FAA Inspector. Compression was confirmed on all six cylinders using a compression tester. The magnetos were not tested due to fire damage. Examination of the lower spark plugs revealed normal wear on all six plugs. The fuel injection servo was removed, and examined by an NTSB investigator in Ashburn, Virginia on April 15, 2013, and no anomalies were noted. At 1550, the weather observation at Mercedita Airport (TJPS), Ponce, Puerto Rico, 20 miles south of the accident site included wind from 150 degrees at 10 knots, 10 miles visibility, and a few clouds at 3,000 feet. The temperature was 29 degrees C, the dew point was 21 degrees C, and the altimeter setting was 29.99 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N834RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N834RC-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 11616, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (registry code 41899, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 11616 - Airframe hours: 743 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hector Fortis Santiago - Registered owner: Hector Fortis Santiago - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2012 - Departed: Yauco, PR - Destination: TJIG, San Juan, PR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 3; last flight review December 8, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 239 total, 73 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: TJPS, 20 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 20130302003879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130302003879A), Mar 2, 2013: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Ciales, PR, Destroyed. The PIC was enroute to isla grande airport from the town of yauco when the helicopter lost power and impacted the power lines and crashed into an open field… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 6, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86339. 15.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 952 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390333&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388350&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Pilot logbooks (item 3, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388752&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20logbooks-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Logbook (item 4, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391686&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record (Fuel Injection Servo exam) (item 5, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(Fuel%20Injection%20Servo%20exam)-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (FAA-Eng Exam) (item 6, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391605&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(FAA-Eng%20Exam)-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 7, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391604&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Retention / Release of Wreckage Form (item 8, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Retention%20%2F%20Release%20of%20Wreckage%20Form-Redacted.PDF - Photo #1: Main wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388515&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%231%3A%20Main%20wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo #2: Main Rotor (Courtesy of FAA) (item 10, .PDF, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%232%3A%20Main%20Rotor%20%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo #3: Main wreckage and powerlines (Courtesy of FAA) (item 11, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%233%3A%20Main%20wreckage%20and%20powerlines%20%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.