# NTSB SEA08CA002: Robinson R44 II, N644BS, Lake Powell, UT, October 2, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 2, 2007, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Powell, UT
- Coordinates: 37.04111, -111.240554
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0411&lon=-111.2406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA002

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to remove a tie-down strap before departure.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, takeoff
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground tie-down rope/strap - not removed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated he was distracted during the preflight inspection and neglected to remove the left rear tie-down.  During takeoff, the helicopter rolled and came to rest on its left side.  The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotors, tail boom, and cabin.

## Factual narrative

On October 2, 2007, about 1000 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R44 II N644BS, rolled over at a watercraft landing zone in Lake Powell, Utah.  The pilot was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage.  The local personal flight was departing Lake Powell with a planned destination of Page Municipal Airport, Page, Arizona.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

In a written report to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated he was distracted during the preflight inspection and neglected to remove the left rear tie-down strap.  Upon departure, he sensed the helicopter had a tendency to turn to the left.  He noted that the helicopter was reacting in an uncontrolled manner.  During an attempt to return from hover to the landing zone, the helicopter rolled and came to rest on its left side.  The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotors, tail boom, and cabin.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N644BS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N644BS-2017-07-05), registration cancelled 2017-07-05, S/N 11642, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R44 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: 11642
- Airframe hours: 155
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2007
- Departed: Lake Powell, UT
- Destination: PGA, Page, AZ
- Airport: NONE, Watercraft LZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 6,052 total, 1,796 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observed at: PGA

## 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 20071002825149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071002825149A), Oct 2, 2007: Robsin R44RAVENII, Lake Powell, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot/owner with his wife on-board intended to make a flight for pleasure from the boat to page, AZ. During lift-off the helicopter rolled over on…

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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