# NTSB MIA07LA059: Robinson R-44-II, N196DM, Miami, FL, March 15, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 15, 2007, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Miami, FL - Coordinates: 26.6333333333333, -80.4166666666667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6333&lon=-80.4167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Textron Lycoming Engines, FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65454 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65454/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=65454 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07LA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm during an autorotative landing, which resulted in a hard landing and separation of the tailboom. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation ## Analysis The pilot stated that while manuevering, the low rotor rpm warning came on so he lowered to collective to regain rotor rpm and maintain altitude. He stated that suddenly there was a "huge vibration," no warnings on the instrument panel, and the vibration seemed to worsen. He noticed that the engine and rotor rpms were well above the "red zone." The pilot immediately closed the throttle and the rpm began to decrease. He then selected a field and made an autorotative landing to an uneven field. The tailboom separated during the landing. Post accident examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no anomalies. The the engine was test run, and no evidence of precrash anomalies were noted. ## Factual narrative On March 15, 2007, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R-44-II, N196DM, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, made an autorotative landing to a field in Miami, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured, and the helicopter incurred substantial damage. The flight originated at Opa Locka, Florida, the same day, about 1500. The pilot stated that while making a 180-degree turn at about a 10 to 15 degree bank angle to return to Opa Locka, Florida, the low rotor rpm warning came on, so he lowered the collective to regain rotor rpm, and then regained his altitude. He said that suddenly there was a "huge vibration" and there were no warnings on the panel, but the vibration seemed to worsen. He said the engine and rotor rpm were very high, well above the "red zone." According to the pilot, he immediately closed the throttle and then the rpm began to decrease. He then selected a field and made an autorotative landing. The pilot said that the field was uneven, and tailboom was separated during the impact or the landing flare. The NTSB, with the assistance of a representative from Textron Lycoming Engines, conducted a detailed examination of the helicopter and its systems. In addition, the engine was given a test-run, and no evidence of precrash anomalies were noted with the helicopter, helicopter systems, or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N196DM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N196DM), registered now, S/N 11329, built 2006 (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: 11329 - Airframe hours: 203 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Helicopter 2 LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 2006 - Departed: OPF, Opa Locka, FL - Destination: OPF ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3; last flight review October 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 765 total, 450 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MIA ## 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 20070315004479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070315004479A), Mar 15, 2007: Robsin R44RAVENII, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 15, 2007, the private pilot [privacy data omitted] left opa locka airport (opf) approx 1500 in R-44 N196DM with one pax on board to view his… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 28, 2007, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=65454. 586 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 403 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40276903&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Parties to the Investigation: Excerpt of Lycoming's Report (item 2, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411136&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%3A%20Excerpt%20of%20Lycoming%27s%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies: FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411137&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40276908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.