# NTSB MIA04LA061: Robinson R44, N7194S, Ocala, FL, March 17, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 17, 2004, 00:30 local (05:30 UTC) - Place: Ocala, FL - Coordinates: 29.172777, -82.224166 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1728&lon=-82.2242&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 58905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA04LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58905/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04LA061 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the helicopter following a reported loss of engine power after picking up to a hover from a dolly. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, hover - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Roll over, emergency landing - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that after lifting off a platform to a 3-5 foot hover with all engine indications in the green and the governor on, the engine experienced a loss of power and began descending. The helicopter had drifted to the left a bit off the dolly and one of the skids contacted the dolly and the helicopter rolled onto its left side but came to rest on its right side. The pilot had the helicopter recovered and placed back in his hangar before NTSB or FAA notification. Numerous attempts were made by the NTSB investigator-in-charge to gain access to the hangar for the purpose of removing the engine from the helicopter for an attempted engine run; the pilot/owner did not respond to these attempts. Review of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form submitted by the pilot revealed that the yes and no blocks were marked in the area titled, "Mechanical Malfunction Failure." According to a preliminary police report, after being notified by an anonymous phone call, they arrived at the airport, opened the hangar, and noted the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter while it was in the hangar was performed by an FAA airworthiness inspector. The inspector reported that the helicopter sustained substantial damage. ## Factual narrative On March 17, 2004, about 0030 eastern standard time, a Robinson R44, N7194S, registered to a private individual, rolled over while descending following liftoff from a dolly at the Ocala International-Jim Taylor Airport, Ocala, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that after lifting off a platform to a 3-5 foot hover with all engine indications in the green and the governor on, the engine experienced a loss of power and the helicopter began descending. The helicopter had drifted to the left a bit off the dolly and one of the skids contacted the dolly and the helicopter rolled onto its left side but came to rest on its right side. The pilot had the helicopter recovered and placed back in his hangar before NTSB or FAA notification. Numerous attempts were made by the NTSB investigator-in-charge to contact the owner to gain access to the hangar for the purpose of removing the engine from the helicopter for an attempted engine run; the pilot/owner did not respond to these attempts. Review of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form submitted by the pilot revealed that the yes and no blocks were marked in the area titled, "Mechanical Malfunction Failure." According to a preliminary police report, after being notified by an anonymous phone call, they arrived at the airport, opened the hangar, and noted the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter while it was in the hangar was performed by an FAA airworthiness inspector. The inspector reported that the helicopter sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7194S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7194S-2006-06-06), registration cancelled 2006-06-06, S/N 0768, built 2000 (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 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0768 - Airframe hours: 474.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alexander P. Williams - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 2002 - Departed: KOCF, Ocala, FL - Destination: KOCF, Ocala, FL - Airport: KOCF, Ocala International Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 530 total, 530 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KOCF ## 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 20040317016909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040317016909A), Mar 17, 2004: Robsin R44, Ocala, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) The true facts are unknown at this time. Interviews with several individuals close to the pilot do not agree with pilots account. Sometime between 1200… 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.