# NTSB MIA07CA107: Robinson R-44-II, N72PK, Isla Grande, PR, March 16, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 16, 2007, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Isla Grande, PR - Coordinates: 18.4369444444444, -66.0019444444444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.4369&lon=-66.0019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Juan Puerto Rico FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65973 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65973/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA107 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness which resulted in damage to the helicopter during the subsequent hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - loss of tail rotor effectiveness - inadvertent, pilot in command - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was on a training flight, circling clockwise around a point, about 40 feet above ground level. He was approximately 400 feet from the point while at an indicated air speed of 35 knots. The aircraft suddenly started to increase its yaw rate to the right. He applied left pedal to stabilize the yaw rate, which continued to increase. He attempted to stop the high yaw rate with the appropriate pedal inputs, full left pedal; however, the aircraft continued yawing. The helicopter completed two rapid 360 degree rotations. He realized he was not able to correct the high yaw rate with pedal inputs and entered into a hovering autorotation, which stopped the yawing. He landed the helicopter without injuries or damage to any property; however, the aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear due to the hard landing. According to the helicopter manufacturer the helicopter sustained structural damage from the hard landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he was on a training flight, circling clockwise around a point, about 40 feet above ground level. He was approximately 400 feet from the point while at an indicated air speed of 35 knots. The aircraft suddenly started to increase its yaw rate to the right. He applied left pedal to stabilize the yaw rate, which continued to increase. He attempted to stop the high yaw rate with the appropriate pedal inputs, full left pedal; however the aircraft continued yawing. The helicopter completed two rapid 360 degree rotations. He realized he was not able to correct the high yaw rate with pedal inputs and entered into a hovering autorotation, which stopped the yawing. He landed the helicopter without injuries or damage to any property, however the aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear due to the hard landing. The pilot notified NTSB of the accident on March 23, 2007. The helicopter was shipped to the Robinson Helicopter Company facility for a hidden damage inspection and on June 13, 2007, NTSB was informed the helicopter did incur substantial damage. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report was not received for this accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72PK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72PK), registered now, S/N 11581, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-44-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: 11581 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pekkita Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: JSJ, Isla Grande, PR - Destination: Isla Grande, PR - Airport: JSJ, Luis Munoz Marin Intl ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 310 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: TJSJ, 4 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). - [Incident 20070316005649I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070316005649I), Mar 16, 2007: Robsin R44RAVENII, Dorado, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was on training flight circling clockwise around one spot (approx. 300 ft to center, IAS 35 KTS, 40 ft AGL). The aircraft started to increase… 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.