# NTSB ERA23LA228: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N62HT, Bradenton, FL, May 11, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 11, 2023, 09:27 local (13:27 UTC) - Place: Bradenton, FL · field - Coordinates: 27.465023, -82.325029 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4650&lon=-82.3250&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - 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): 149067 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/149067/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=149067 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA228 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during landing which resulted in a premature landing on uneven ground and a subsequent rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Main rotor system: main rotor blade system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter reported that while he was on approach to land, he attempted to slow his descent by pulling aft on the cyclic and increased the collective pitch. The low rotor rpm horn sounded as he was beginning to hover in ground effect, and he then began to fly forward slowly. At 20 knots, the low rotor rpm horn sounded again, and his altitude increased to 40 ft above ground level. The rotor speed did not recover, and the helicopter descended until it landed on an uneven berm. The helicopter then pitched forward, the main rotor blades impacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. The helicopter’s tail boom was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62HT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62HT-2023-06-17), registration cancelled 2023-06-17, S/N 13709, built 2014 (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: 13709 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 3933.51 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Registration Pending - Registered owner: Registration Pending - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 7, 2023 - Departed: SRQ, Sarasota, FL - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 26, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 78.1 total, 78.1 in this make and model, 44.1 as pilot in command, 46.6 in the last 90 days, 7.9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: SRQ, 13 nm away - METAR: KSRQ 111353Z 12009KT 10SM CLR 28/20 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP170 T02780200 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=149067. 12.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 7.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15624947&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%27s%206120%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot logbook excerpt (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 911 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15555076&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Logbook%20Excerpt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array_accident site and helicopter damage (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15626046&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array_Accident%20Site%20and%20Helicopter%20Damage-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.