Robinson R-44-II N196DM

Summary

On 15 March 2007 at about 19:30 local time, a Robinson R-44-II registered N196DM was involved in an accident near Miami, Florida, United States. 2 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

15 March 2007 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Miami, Florida, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Robinson R-44-II

Registration

N196DM

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Opa Locka → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA07LA059

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm during an autorotative landing, which resulted in a hard landing and separation of the tailboom.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that while manuevering, the low rotor rpm warning came on so he lowered to collective to regain rotor rpm and maintain altitude. He stated that suddenly there was a "huge vibration," no warnings on the instrument panel, and the vibration seemed to worsen. He noticed that the engine and rotor rpms were well above the "red zone." The pilot immediately closed the throttle and the rpm began to decrease. He then selected a field and made an autorotative landing to an uneven field. The tailboom separated during the landing. Post accident examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no anomalies. The the engine was test run, and no evidence of precrash anomalies were noted.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.