# NTSB WPR09LA312: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N515DG, Lakeport, CA, June 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 2009, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Lakeport, CA - Coordinates: 39.076389, -123.032218 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0764&lon=-123.0322&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74137 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA312 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74137/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74137 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA312 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power while maneuvering for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) and pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) were on a local instructional flight. The helicopter was fueled about 15 minutes prior and they were initiating a 180-degree autorotation with a power recovery. The helicopter entered into a glide and they made the turn onto the final segment. The CFI noticed that the oil and auxiliary fuel pump lights were on. The CFI then looked at the tachometer and attempted to increase the throttle. The power did not return and the CFI force-landed the helicopter. During the landing the main rotor blade impacted the tail boom. Post accident examination of the helicopter and test run of the engine revealed no operational anomalies. ## Factual narrative On June 25, 2009, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R44 II, N515DG, landed hard during a forced landing approximately 7 miles west-northwest of Lakeport, California. Cutting Edge Helicopters was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) were not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The CFI reported that the helicopter had been fueled to capacity prior to takeoff. They were conducting a 180-degree autorotation with a power recovery. They entered the helicopter into a glide and as they made the turn, the CFI noticed that the oil and auxiliary fuel pump lights were on. The CFI then looked at the tachometer and attempted to increase the throttle. The power did not return so the CFI committed to a landing. During the landing, the main rotor blades impacted the tail boom. The helicopter and engine were examined following their recovery from the accident site. The spark plugs were removed and examined. Their condition was consistent with normal operation when compared to a Champion Check-A-Plug chart. With the engine still installed on the helicopter and using the original fuel onboard the helicopter, it was powered. The engine test ran and no pre-impact anomalies were identified. According to Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) Safety Notice SN-38, Practice Autorotations Cause Many Training Accidents, “There have been instances where the engine has quit during practice autorotation. To avoid inadvertent engine stoppage, do not roll the throttle to full idle. Reduce throttle firmly for a small visible needle split, then hold throttle firmly to override governor. Recover immediately if engine is rough or engine RPM continues to drop.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N515DG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N515DG-2010-10-19), registration cancelled 2010-10-19, S/N 11503, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson Helicopter Company 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: 11503 - Airframe hours: 501 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Cutting Edge Helicopters - Registered owner: Metro Mailing Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 17, 2009, 29 hours before - Departed: UKI, Ukiah, CA - Destination: SMF, Sacramento, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 22, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 746 total, 104 in this make and model, 659 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 22, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 290 total, 160 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: UKI, 7 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). - [Accident 20090625013569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090625013569A), Jun 25, 2009: Robsin R44II, Lakeport, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Engine died during instructional 180 autorotation resulting in hard landing with damage to the main rotor and tail boom. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74137. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 745 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315707&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation CFI (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317080&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20CFI-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation PUI (item 3, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317081&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20PUI-Master.PDF - PUI Statement (item 4, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320992&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PUI%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation FAA (item 5, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317095&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Overview (Provided by CFI) (item 6, .PDF, 372 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317091&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Overview%20(Provided%20by%20CFI)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Helicopter (Provided by CFI) (item 7, .PDF, 331 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317093&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Helicopter%20(Provided%20by%20CFI)-Master.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.