Robinson R-44A N744FC

Summary

On 5 December 2000 at about 00:10 local time, a Robinson R-44A registered N744FC, operated by Fred A. Collatz, was involved in an accident near Sandgap, Kentucky, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 December 2000 at 00:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Sandgap, Kentucky, United States

Coordinates

37.4798, -84.0907

Aircraft

Robinson R-44A

Registration

N744FC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Fred A. Collatz

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Manchester → Lexington

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Bright

NTSB number

NYC01FA053

3 people died.

the pilot's improper weather evaluation, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance while operating over unlighted terrain at night. Factors were the isolated areas of fog, and night conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-instrument rated pilot departed on a night cross-country flight with no record of a weather briefing. Although visual meteorological conditions prevailed, witnesses along the route of flight reported isolated areas of fog and low clouds were present. The terrain was rolling tree-covered hills with no ground lighting. Two witnesses in a vehicle saw a momentary glow behind a ridge covered by a low cloud. A tree with freshly skinned bark located near the top of a ridge was found 670 feet prior to where the main wreckage was found. The debris trail between the tree and main wreckage included components from the battery located in the nose of the helicopter, side doors, windshield plexiglas, part of the trailing edge of one main rotor blade, and part of one tail rotor blade. The helicopter burned at impact. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found with the helicopter or engine. The pilot's total flight experience was estimated at about 386 hours with 60 hours in make and model.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.