# NTSB LAX06LA247: Robinson R44, N74780, Flagstaff, AZ, July 28, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 2006, 06:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Flagstaff, AZ - Coordinates: 35, -111.583335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0000&lon=-111.5833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64214 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06LA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64214/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA247 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning decision to take off under a low ceiling into an area of mountainous terrain that resulted in an encounter with lowering clouds and forced the pilot to land in unfavorable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - terrain condition - uphill - object - tree(s) - Roll over, emergency landing ## Analysis The helicopter collided with trees and rolled over during an emergency landing. About 9 nautical miles south of the departure airport, the pilot encountered a lowering layer of overcast clouds, and was unable to maintain level flight. He performed an autorotation into a clearing from about 100 feet above ground level. The helicopter touched down on a slight incline. The tips of the rotor blades struck the ground and a tree, causing the helicopter to roll over onto its right side. The departing airport Automated Surface Observing System reported that the sky condition at takeoff was 800 feet overcast. Mountainous terrain surrounded the airport. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 2006, about 0600 mountain standard time, a Robinson R44, N74780, collided with trees during an emergency landing near Flagstaff, Arizona. The pilot/operator was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff, Arizona, about 0555, with a planned destination of Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. He departed Flagstaff Pulliam Airport on the 185-degree radial of the Flagstaff very high frequency omni-directional radio range (VOR). About 9 nautical miles south of the airport, he encountered a lowering cloud layer, and could not maintain level flight. He decided to perform an autorotation into a clearing from about 100 feet above ground level. The helicopter touched down on its skids, but the landing area was slightly inclined. The tips of the rotor blades struck the ground and then hit a tree, causing the helicopter to roll over onto its right side. The Flagstaff Pulliam Airport Automated Surface Observing System reported that the sky condition at 0556 was 800 feet overcast. The airframe and engine had about 92 hours since new. The FAA, Robinson, and Textron Lycoming were parties to the investigation. Investigators examined the wreckage at the Robinson factory under the supervision of the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge. The engine remained attached to the airframe by the engine mount. The engine had sustained mechanical damage to the exhaust system, which had been displaced upward. Visual examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact catastrophic mechanical malfunction or fire. Investigators removed the bottom spark plugs. They rotated the crankshaft by hand utilizing a wrench at the cooling fan bolt. The crankshaft was free and easy to rotate in both directions. They obtained thumb compression in proper firing order on all six cylinders. They established mechanical continuity throughout the rotating/reciprocating group and accessory section. All spark plugs were clean with no mechanical deformation. The spark plug electrodes were gray, which corresponded to normal operation according to the Champion Aviation Check-A-Plug AV-27 Chart. The investigators reinstalled the spark plugs, and attached their respective leads. Robinson personnel removed the engine from the airframe, and installed it onto a test cell dynamometer. A technician started the engine with the starter using standard procedures. The oil pressure indicated within the normal operating range at the test cell control panel oil pressure gauge. The engine driven fuel pump delivered a fuel pressure indication within the normal operating range. Once the engine was at operating temperature, the technician advance the throttle to about 1,600 rpm, at which time he checked the magnetos utilizing the test cell mounted ignition switch. Both magnetos operated within manufacturer's specifications. The magneto check produced a smooth 50 to 60 rpm drop at each detent. The engine ran smoothly during the operational check, and exhibited no anomalies, and no fuel or oil leaks. According to the Robinson Helicopter Company test cell operator, the subject engine reached all prescribed performance parameters. The test cell sheet has been attached for reference. He shut the engine down, which completed the test. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74780](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74780-2011-10-18), registration cancelled 2011-10-18, S/N 11052, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 11052 - Airframe hours: 92 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 230 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald R. Schwartz - Registered owner: Western Consulting, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006 - Departed: FLG, Flagstaff, AZ - Destination: DVT, Phoenix, AZ - Airport: FLG, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review January 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 2,000 total, 87 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: FLG, 9 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 20060728027529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060728027529A), Jul 28, 2006: Robsin R44RAVENII, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 28, 2006, at approximately 0555 MST, N74780, a Robinson R-44 helicopter, with the pilot [privacy data omitted] performing as pilot-in-command,… 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.