Robinson R44 N440M
5 November 2009 · Morovis, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 5 November 2009 at about 18:10 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N440M, operated by Universal Aviation Vertical Group, was involved in an accident near Morovis, United States. 4 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:10
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Morovis, United States
- Coordinates
- 18.2839, -66.4014
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44
- Registration
- N440M
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Universal Aviation Vertical Group
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Alta Vega → Morovis
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ERA10CA051
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s delayed attempt to go around.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot flew the helicopter to one location (about 100 feet above sea level) where three adult passengers boarded, then flew to a landing pad at an elevation of 1,391 feet above sea level. According to the pilot, after one recognition pass, she began a "confined pinnacle approach." While on short final, the pilot decided to go around and added power, but the helicopter "did not respond accordingly." The low rotor rpm horn sounded and the low rotor rpm light illuminated. The pilot noted "no airspeed, no altitude," and continued to an "emergency landing." Upon touchdown, with the right skid partially off the landing pad, the helicopter rolled over to the left, resulting in damage to the rotor system and tail boom. The pilot also stated that the winds were calm and that the outside air temperature gauge indicated 24 degrees Centigrade. She further noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R44 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 May 2009 | Robinson R44 II | Meredith, New Hampshire, United States | Glenn L. Tonnesen | No injuries | - |
| 19 Jul 2009 | Robinson R44 | Silver Spring, Pennsylvania, United States | Advanced Helicopter Concepts | No injuries | - |
| 18 Dec 2009 | Robinson R44 II | Abilene, Texas, United States | Price Family Holdings LLC | No injuries | - |
| 23 Apr 2009 | Robinson R44 II | Kent, Texas, United States | Jobeco Materials LLC | No injuries | - |
| 15 Oct 2009 | Robinson R44 | La Belle, Florida, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 3 May 2009 | Robinson R44 | Cottonwood, Arizona, United States | Guidance Helicopters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Feb 2009 | Hi-Max 1700R | Windham, New Hampshire, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 22 Apr 2009 | Cessna 210 | Richmond, Indiana, United States | Richard Miller | No injuries | - |
| 9 Jun 2009 | Cirrus SR22 | Elkin, North Carolina, United States | Obi-1 At Pensacola Inc | No injuries | - |
| 14 Jul 2009 | Piper PA-28R-180 | Tucson, Arizona, United States | New Mexico Flying Eagle Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 22 Aug 2009 | Brown STEEN SKYBOLT | Harrison, Ohio, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 5 Oct 2009 | Temco D-16A | Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |