# NTSB WPR24LA251: Robinson Helicopter R44, N886JB, Carlsbad, CA, July 18, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 18, 2024, 16:25 local (23:25 UTC) - Place: Carlsbad, CA - Coordinates: 33.12825, -117.28008 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1283&lon=-117.2801&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194746 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194746/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194746 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA251 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter while departing with a crosswind, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter reported that he was attempting to depart from a platform. The helicopter was oriented perpendicular to the prevailing wind and the rotor wash of a nearby helicopter. As the pilot raised collective to climb, the helicopter immediately rolled over to the right and impacted the asphalt. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N886JB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N886JB), registered now, S/N 30058 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-F1B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (registry code 42353, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 30058 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 549 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-F1B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Civic Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: Civic Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 5, 2024 - Airport: KCRQ, Mc Clellan - Palomar - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 11, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,501.7 total, 2,425.2 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KCRQ - METAR: KCRQ 182353Z AUTO 25008KT 10SM CLR 21/17 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP139 T02110167 10222 20206 58009 ## 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 20240718013149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240718013149A), Jul 18, 2024: Robinson Helicopter R44, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot lifted aircraft off helicopter platform for third solo flight. As collective was raised aircraft immediately went into dynamic rollover, slid off right… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 27, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194746. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17581556&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Flattened_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17857678&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.