# NTSB ERA23LA350: Robinson Helicopter R44, N4147Q, Immokalee, FL, August 26, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 26, 2023, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Immokalee, FL - Coordinates: 26.429063, -81.40478 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4291&lon=-81.4048&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 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): 192947 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA350 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192947/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192947 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA350 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the student pilot during hover flight, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the ground after the student pilot applied a sudden control input. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: 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) ## Analysis The flight instructor stated that the accident flight was an introductory flight for a new student pilot. He stated that during an introductory flight, it was normal for a student pilot to take the cyclic control and get familiar with the “feel” of the helicopter. During the accident pilot, the student pilot hovered the helicopter at 10 ft above ground level for about 10 minutes with no anomalies, then suddenly, the student pilot pushed the cyclic forward and to the right “very fast.” The flight instructor could not regain control before the main rotor contacted the ground. The helicopter rolled to the right and came to rest on tits right side, sustaining substantial damage to the main rotor mast, tail rotor, and fuselage. The flight instructor stated there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4147Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4147Q-2026-02-14), registration cancelled 2026-02-14, S/N 1844, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 (NO SERIES) - 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: 1844 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 2000 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Airman Helicopter Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 2023 - Airport: IMM, Immokalee Rgnl, runway 36, 4,550 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 47; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,383 total, 3,100 in this make and model, 3,328 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; injuries: minor; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: RSW, 20 nm away - METAR: KRSW 261553Z 06009G16KT 10SM CLR 32/22 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP109 T03170217 ## 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 20230826013719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230826013719A), Aug 26, 2023: Robinson Helicopter R44, Immokalee, FL, Destroyed. Part 61 operation, 2008 Robinson Helicopter R44 serial number 1844, [privacy data omitted], registered to [privacy data omitted]a demonstration flight R44… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192947. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16062810&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16260124&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 805 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16063181&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photo%27s-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.