# NTSB ERA23LA021: Robinson Helicopter R44, N306MB, Daytona Beach, FL, October 14, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 14, 2022, 17:11, time zone not recorded - Place: Daytona Beach, FL - Coordinates: 29.177373, -81.060955 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1774&lon=-81.0610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106131 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106131/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106131 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA021 ## Probable cause The pilot’s misjudged landing point which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting to land on a mobile helipad. During the landing the helicopter landed “off center” and rolled over onto its side. The helicopter collided with the terrain and sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would preclude normal operation. The helicopter was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector after the accident. The examination confirmed that the airframe and main rotor blades were substantially damaged. No flight control anomalies were discovered that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N306MB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N306MB), registered now, S/N 2439, built 2016 (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: 2439 - Year built: 2016 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Joel Vela, doing business as Leading Edge Helicopters - Registered owner: Spitzer Helicopter LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, September 17, 2022 - Departed: Daytona Beach, FL - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: DAB, Daytona Beach Intl - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; commercial, military; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 31, 2022; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 297 total, 19 in this make and model, 148 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KDAB, 1 nm away - METAR: KDAB 142053Z 04010KT 10SM FEW040 FEW100 27/19 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP142 T02720189 56005 ## 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 20221014017499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221014017499A), Oct 14, 2022: Robinson Helicopter R44, Daytona Beach, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot was attempting to land on a moveable platform for the first time. The pilot stated and video showed he aborted his first attempt after he failed to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106131. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15002298&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120-p_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Mfr FAA correspondence (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15002756&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20FAA%20correspondence%20LA021-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15002766&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA021-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. --- 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.