# NTSB NYC04CA166: Robinson R-44 II, N277MC, Beverly, MA, July 11, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 11, 2004, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Beverly, MA
- Coordinates: 42.58472, -70.916664
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5847&lon=-70.9167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59634
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59634/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA166

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with transmission wires.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

As the helicopter rose from the ground to hover taxi, the main rotor blades struck transmission wires which were directly above the helicopter.  The pilot immediately set the helicopter back down on the ground and secured the engine.

## Factual narrative

On July 11, 2004, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-44 II, N277MC, was substantially damaged when it struck wires while lifting off from the Beverly Municipal Airport (BVY), Beverly, Massachusetts.  The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.  A flight plan was not filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, after a local flight over the ocean, he elected to land the helicopter near a fresh water hose at the airport, where the helicopter could be rinsed off.  Once on the ground, with the engine running, the passenger exited the helicopter and proceeded to spray water on the fuselage and rotor blades.  The passenger then re-boarded the helicopter, and the pilot added collective to hover taxi from the area.  As the helicopter rose from the ground, the main rotor blades struck transmission wires which were directly above the helicopter.  The pilot immediately set the helicopter back on the ground and secured the engine.

According to a representative at a fixed based operator (FBO) at BVY, where the helicopter was based, all helicopter operations were restricted to a designated takeoff/landing area on the ramp.  All helicopters based at the FBO were required to use a dolly to move from the hangar area to the designated helicopter takeoff/landing area, and air taxis were prohibited in the ramp area.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N277MC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N277MC), registered now, S/N 10277, built 2004 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 10277
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Martin E. Cutler MD
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BVY, Beverly, MA
- Airport: BVY, Beverly Municipal Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 17, 2004; flight hours: 1,371 total, 900 in this make and model, 45 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: BVY

## 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 20040711017179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040711017179A), Jul 11, 2004: Robsin R44RAVENII, Beverly, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he hovered taxied over to a wash area located behind north atlantic air's hangar, after his passenger rinsed the aircraft while it was…

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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