# NTSB MIA04CA048: Robinson R44, N77KK, Vero Beach, FL, January 23, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 23, 2004, 05:00 local (10:00 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.655555, -80.418052
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6556&lon=-80.4181&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA04CA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04CA048

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with bushed resulting in in-flight contact and susequent dynamic roll-over.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
- Roll over, landing
  - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

The pilot stated he went out to warm-up the helicopter about 0500, and while hover taxiing north to reposition the helicopter for a planned flight at 0730, the left skid contacted a hedge bush row and the helicopter rolled onto its left side.  He further stated there was no mechanical failure or malfunction.  His biennial flight review expired February 28, 2003.

## Factual narrative

On January 23, 2004, about 0500 eastern standard time, a Robinson R44, N77KK, listed with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as "Registration Pending", rolled over while hover taxiing at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport, Vero Beach, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  The heliocopter was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated he went out to warm up the helicopter about 0500, and while hover taxiing north to reposition the helicopter for a planned flight at 0730, the left skid contacted a hedge bush row and the helicopter rolled onto its left side.  He further stated there was no mechanical failure or malfunction.  His biennial flight review expired February 28, 2003.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77KK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77KK-2005-10-05), registration cancelled 2005-10-05, S/N 1052, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R44
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540F1 SERIE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540f1-serie) (registry code 41531, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1052
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kelly P. Kite
- Registered owner: "Registration Pending"
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KVRB, Vero Beach, FL
- Airport: KVRB, Vero Beach Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3; flight hours: 2,150 total, 350 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark

## 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 20040123011189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040123011189A), Jan 23, 2004: Robsin R44, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot of N77KK was repositioning the helicopter for departure, during hover taxi the left skid hit a 2-foot high hedgerow. This impact causes the…

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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