# NTSB WPR17WA203: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, Darwin Aerodrome, Australia, August 18, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation
- Date: August 18, 2017
- Place: Darwin Aerodrome, Australia
- Coordinates: -12.411666, 130.870559 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=-12.4117&lon=130.8706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Led by another country's authority
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Lead agency: Other
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96011
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR17WA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96011/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17WA203

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)

## Factual narrative

On August 18, 2017, at 1400 local time, a Robinson R44 II, VH-LGN, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Darwin Aerodrome, Australia. The helicopter was operated under the pertinent civil regulations of the government of Australia. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The pilot reported that during a descending turn at about 50 knots, the helicopter began to vibrate. He attempted to level out and the vibration became worse. He initiated a forced landing The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Australia. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the Government of Australia. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) 62 Northbourne Avenue Canberra ACT 2601 Australia Tel: +612 6274 7439 www.atsb.gov.au

## Aircraft

- Registration: VH-LGN (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R44 II (II)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 12052
- Engines: TEXTRON LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operator: Helibrook Pty Ltd
- Registered owner: Mw Contracting (Qld) Pty Ltd

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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