# NTSB ERA14CA143: Robinson Helicopter R44, N7040U, Orlando, FL, February 10, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 10, 2014, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Coordinates: 28.379751, -81.479164 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3798&lon=-81.4792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88883/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88883
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA143

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection in which he failed to remove the tail rotor covers, which resulted in the failure of the tail rotor drive shaft during engine start.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)
- [Misc hardware](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md)
- [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, while conducting a preflight inspection, he overlooked the removal of the tail rotor covers. He started the helicopter and shortly thereafter he heard a "snap", and the helicopter began to "shake". The helicopter was immediately shutdown and a visual inspection revealed substantial damage to the tail rotor drive shaft. The pilot reported no other preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, while conducting a preflight inspection, he overlooked the removal of the tail rotor covers. He started the helicopter and shortly thereafter he heard a "snap", and the helicopter began to "shake". The helicopter was immediately shutdown and a visual inspection revealed substantial damage to the tail rotor drive shaft. The pilot reported no other preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7040U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7040U-2016-02-17), registration cancelled 2016-02-17, S/N 2262, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- 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
- Serial number: 2262
- Year built: 2013
- Airframe hours: 395
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-F1B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Air Force LLC
- Registered owner: Limocopter LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 18, 2014
- Departed: 7FA5, Orlando, FL
- Destination: 7FA5, Orlando, FL
- Airport: 7FA5, Premium Heliport, runway H1, 31 × 31 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,470 total, 800 in this make and model, 1,330 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: ISM, 7 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 20140210005499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140210005499A), Feb 10, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R44, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage. On February 10, 2014 about 0930 local time, pilot of a Robinson 44 helicopter, N7040U, started the aircraft with the tail rotor cover still attached,…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 1, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88883. 3.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411866&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Statement From Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411867&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20From%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411868&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Photo 1. Tail Rotor Cover (Photo Courtesy of Air Force Fun Inc.) (item 4, .PDF, 175 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411869&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Tail%20Rotor%20Cover%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Air%20Force%20Fun%20Inc.)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2. Severed Tail Rotor Drive Shaft (Photo Courtesy of Air Force Fun Inc.) (item 5, .PDF, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411870&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Severed%20Tail%20Rotor%20Drive%20Shaft%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Air%20Force%20Fun%20Inc.)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3. Severed Tail Rotor Drive Shaft End 1 (Photo Courtesy of Air Force Fun Inc.) (item 6, .PDF, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411871&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Severed%20Tail%20Rotor%20Drive%20Shaft%20End%201%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Air%20Force%20Fun%20Inc.)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4. Severed Tail Rotor Drive Shaft End 2 (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411872&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20Severed%20Tail%20Rotor%20Drive%20Shaft%20End%202%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.

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