# NTSB ERA24LA118: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N521LS, Miami, FL, February 1, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 1, 2024, 18:34 local (23:34 UTC) - Place: Miami, FL - Coordinates: 25.784129, -80.173595 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7841&lon=-80.1736&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 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): 193827 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193827/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193827 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA118 ## Probable cause Tail rotor contact with an unseen object while performing a precautionary landing to a closed helipad at night. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: 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) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an air tour flight at night, the pilot of the helicopter noted that the oil pressure and temperature gauges were displaying indications that were in the “red area” so he decided to perform a precautionary landing to a closed helipad. During the precautionary landing, while maneuvering the helicopter just prior to touchdown, the tail rotor contacted a plastic pipe that protruded up about 2 ft from the ground. The pilot further described that it was very dark and that he was unable to see the pipe. Following the tail rotor strike, the helicopter landed hard, deforming the landing skids. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer during the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N521LS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N521LS), registered now, S/N 13907, built 2015 (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: 13907 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 2159.8 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Global Aerials Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 8, 2023 - Departed: HWO, Pembroke Pines, FL - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 5, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 520 total, 300 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 320° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KMIA, 8 nm away - METAR: METAR KMIA 020053Z 32003KT 10SM FEW055 SCT250 20/12 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP183 T02000122 ## 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 20240201001919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240201001919A), Feb 1, 2024: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. During flight airman noticed that the manifold pressure, engine oil pressure, and temperature were in the red area of the gages. Airman executed a precautional… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193827. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16804530&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16941842&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20record-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16809055&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos-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.