# NTSB ERA23LA287: Robinson Helicopter R44, N7507X, Myrtle Beach, SC, July 4, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 4, 2023, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Myrtle Beach, SC · On Airport - Coordinates: 33.679741, -78.928321 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6797&lon=-78.9283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 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): 192520 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA287 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192520/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192520 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA287 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a hover taxi, which resulted in a 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, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); 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 was taxiing the helicopter about 3 ft above the ground in preparation to takeoff when his door popped open. The pilot said he instinctively removed his left hand from the collective to shut the door; however, before he could even reach the door, the collective lowered and there was reduction in power. The helicopter then rolled over on to its right side, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions that contributed to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7507X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7507X), registered now, S/N 1218, built 2002 (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 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1218 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 4228.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ghgk LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 29, 2023 - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: MYR, Myrtle Beach Intl - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 335 total, 281 in this make and model, 255 as pilot in command, 172 in the last 90 days, 145 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 89 °F, dew point 80 °F - Observed at: MYR, 3 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 20230704006689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230704006689A), Jul 4, 2023: Robinson Helicopter R44, Myrtle Beach, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot on a 91.147 air tour operation took toof off from helipad with passengers on board. After hover and going into a forward motion, pilot notice his door… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192520. 32.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 658 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15905976&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 24.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15906355&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 294 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15906540&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photos-Rel.pdf - Wreckage diagram (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 353 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15905986&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagram-Rel.pdf - Operator written statement (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 7.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15905085&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Training%20statement_Redacted-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.