Robinson R-22 N4004J

Summary

On 14 October 2000 at about 16:08 local time, a Robinson R-22 registered N4004J, operated by Volar Helicopters Inc., was involved in an accident near Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 October 2000 at 16:08

Classification

Accident

Location

Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States

Coordinates

26.0201, -80.3393

Aircraft

Robinson R-22

Registration

N4004J

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Volar Helicopters Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Lauderdale → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA01FA004

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm and the proper rate of descent during a forced landing/autorotation resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was a loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 3 exhaust valve for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's lack of total experience in the R22 and recent experience in autorotations.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot experience a loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 3 exhaust valve for undetermined reasons. The pilot entered autorotation and failed to maintain rotor rpm and the proper rate of descent resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. The pilot had accumulated 67 hours in helicopters of which 18 were as pilot-in-command. The pilot's last known autorotation was 4 months before the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.