# NTSB ERA22LA188: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N426DB, Calhoun, GA, April 12, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 12, 2022, 17:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Calhoun, GA
- Coordinates: 34.47634, -84.932392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4763&lon=-84.9324&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 104936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104936/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104936
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA188

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from wires during takeoff.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he repositioned the helicopter within the landing zone after landing to use its full length for the planned departure. As he applied takeoff power, the pilot inadvertently climbed the helicopter into wires above the main rotor blades. The pilot subsequently reduced power and attempted a run-on landing to an adjacent road, but the main rotor struck a building. The helicopter rolled on its side and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N426DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N426DB-2023-07-12), registration cancelled 2023-07-12, S/N 13514, built 2013 (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: 13514
- Year built: 2013
- Airframe hours: 1295.3
- Engines: Lycoming IO540-AE1A5 245 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 2021
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2; seat: right; flight hours: 9,000 total, 301 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KRMG, 14 nm away
- METAR: KRMG 122053Z AUTO 22007KT 10SM SCT085 28/10 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP165 T02830100 56020

## 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 20220412005329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220412005329A), Apr 12, 2022: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Calhoun, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot was taking 3 passengers for a joy ride flight. Pilot landed aircraft on a vacant 2 acre lot, which he owned in Calhoun, GA. The lot was between a…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104936. 10.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 memo for record (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14157870&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Ron%20Dobbs-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14157880&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- 100 Hour inspection (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14157540&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=100%20Hour%20Inspection_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14161821&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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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