# NTSB MIA05CA133: Robinson R44, N90SG, St. Cloud, FL, July 7, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 6, 2005, 20:30 local (Jul 7, 2005, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: St. Cloud, FL
- Coordinates: 27.767112, -81.686195 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7671&lon=-81.6862&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05CA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61915/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05CA133

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with a palm tree resulting in the in-flight collision with it, and subsequent uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with the ground.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - hovering turn - initiated, pilot in command
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot stated that after departure the flight proceeded to his property nearby, then he elected to return to the helipad where the flight departed.  Upon approach to the helipad he noted a horse trailer obstructed one side of the helipad and a mowing trailer obstructed the other side of the helipad.  He hovered over the top of both then decided to perform a 160 degree pedal turned to the left.  He reported that he "lost my focus on a palm tree and consequently struck the tree with [the] tailboom which caused a main rotor strike.  Hence the accident."

## Factual narrative

On July 6, 2005, about 2030 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44, N90SG, registered to Red Stone Helicopter Sales & Leasing LLC,  collided with a palm tree then the ground while landing at a private helipad near St. Cloud, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local, personal flight from the private helipad.  The helicopter was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries.  The flight originated about 1900, from the private helipad.

The pilot stated that after departure the flight proceeded to his property nearby, then he elected to return to the helipad where the flight departed.  Upon approach to the helipad he noted a horse trailer obstructed one side of the helipad and a mowing trailer obstructed the other side of the helipad.  He hovered over the top of both then decided to perform a 160 degree pedal turned to the left.  He reported that he "lost my focus on a palm tree and consequently struck the tree with [the] tailboom which caused a main rotor strike.  Hence the accident."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90SG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90SG-2017-07-05), registration cancelled 2017-07-05, S/N 1265, built 2002 (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: 1265
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David K. Jowers
- Registered owner: Red Stone Helicopter Sales & Leasing LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: St. Cloud, FL
- Destination: St. Cloud, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 3; flight hours: 110 total, 32 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk

## 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 20050706017549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050706017549A), Jul 6, 2005: Robsin R44, St. Cloud, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot of N90SG was making an approach to landing at his private heliport in St. Cloud, FL when he noticed that a vehicle had been parked in close…

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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