# NTSB ERA24LA393: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N153LA, Ravenel, SC, September 23, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 23, 2024, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Ravenel, SC
- Coordinates: 32.828626, -80.272651
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8286&lon=-80.2727&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 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): 195175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA393
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195175/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195175
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA393

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain, which resulted in the right skid contacting the 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)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was performing low altitude practice maneuvers in a pasture. While performing a quick stop maneuver, the pilot stated that he didn’t realize how close he was to the ground. During the maneuver, the right skid contacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled onto its side. The rollover and subsequent impact with terrain resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N153LA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N153LA), registered now, S/N 13422, built 2013 (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: 13422
- Year built: 2013
- Airframe hours: 1882.86
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 8, 2024, 21.46 hours before
- Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 29, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,782 total, 76 in this make and model, 1,782 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: CHS, 12 nm away
- METAR: KCHS 232356Z 15007KT 10SM FEW030 FEW250 26/23 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP133 T02560228 10317 20256 51001

## 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 20240923013399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240923013399A), Sep 23, 2024: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Ravenel, SC, Substantial damage. Eon-dra message text: Ravenel, SC: [privacy data omitted], R44, was executing a precautionary landing on a farm with cattle at [privacy data omitted], SC when…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195175. 4.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17835092&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Mor - pilot email (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17834930&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20MOR-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17835444&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.

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