Robinson R44 N544LB

Summary

On 31 May 2006 at about 18:30 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N544LB was involved in an accident near Stapleton, Nebraska, United States. 4 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 May 2006 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Stapleton, Nebraska, United States

Coordinates

41.4331, -100.4839

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N544LB

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

North Platte → Stapleton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI06CA143

Nobody was injured.

The pilot not maintaining clearance fron the tree during landing. A factor was the tree.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter sustained substantial damage during landing when its rotor impacted a tree and the helicopter subsequently impacted terrain. Reported winds were variable at 4 knots. The pilot stated, "Picked landing site that was not smooth enough for a gentle set down. Lifted too quickly to reposition. This maneuver resulted in chopping top out of near pine tree damaging the main rotor at about 20 feet. The helicopter settled about 30 feet away coming to rest next to a building with more damage to the main, tailcone and skid struts." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter in reference to the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.