Robinson R44 II N145DM
17 September 2010 · Duluth, Minnesota, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 17 September 2010 at about 05:23 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N145DM, operated by Lake Superior Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Duluth, Minnesota, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 05:23
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Duluth, Minnesota, United States
- Nearest airport
- Duluth International (DLH)
- Coordinates
- 47.0083, -92.2150
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II
- Registration
- N145DM
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Lake Superior Helicopters
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Business
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Duluth → Duluth
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night/Dark
- NTSB number
- CEN10LA556
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to identify and arrest the helicopter's descent due to spatial disorientation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
According to the pilot, he lifted the helicopter into a hover and subsequently established a 600 foot-per-minute rate of climb at 60 knots airspeed to depart the area. As the helicopter climbed out, he reported a sinking feeling in the seat and noticed that the vertical speed indicator displayed a descent. The pilot increased the engine power but the helicopter continued to descend. The pilot could not discern his exact height above the water because of the night lighting conditions and thought that the helicopter was higher off the water than it was; as a result, he did not flare prior to impact. A witness reported that the liftoff and initial climb also appeared normal and that the helicopter appeared to be level and remain in controlled flight the entire time. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The witness commented that the conditions were dark at the time of the accident, but there was a distinguishable horizon. The light wind reported at the time of the accident and lack of convective activity in the area is inconsistent with a downdraft or microburst condition.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R44 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 2010 | Robinson R44 | Lagoa do Triunfo, Para, Brazil | - | Fatal | 4 |
| 30 Sep 2010 | Robinson R44 | Davinopolis, Brazil | Elen de Souza Santiago | Fatal | 1 |
| 10 Mar 2010 | Robinson R44 | Karelia, Russia | Dmitry Martynov | Fatal | 2 |
| 22 Dec 2010 | Robinson R44 II | Hemphill, Texas, United States | TGB Equipment Leasing LLC | Minor injuries | - |
| 20 Jun 2010 | Robinson R44 | Unalaska, Alaska, United States | Bering Pacific Ranches Ltd | Fatal | 1 |
| 15 May 2010 | Robinson R44 | Baraboo, Wisconsin, United States | MD Helicopter Services LLC | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Dec 2010 | Piper PA-46-350P | Lake Elmo, Minnesota, United States | Richard Davidson | Minor injuries | - |
| 11 Oct 2010 | Luscombe 8D | Clarrisa, Minnesota, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 10 Dec 2010 | Beechcraft 300 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | Diamond 1A LLC | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 2010 | Bell 47G-4A | Rochester, Minnesota, United States | Scotts Helicopter Services Inc | Fatal | 1 |
| 17 Jun 2010 | Piper PA-23 | Rochester, Minnesota, United States | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 15 Jun 2010 | Douglas DC9 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | Delta Air Lines | Unknown | - |