Robinson R44 II N666SL

Summary

On 8 December 2010 at about 12:20 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N666SL, operated by Downrite Engineering Corp, was involved in an accident near Pahokee, 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

8 December 2010 at 12:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Pahokee, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Palm Beach County Glades (PHK)

Coordinates

26.7844, -80.6894

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N666SL

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Downrite Engineering Corp

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pahokee → Pahokee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11CA081

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that before lifting off from the refueling pad, he maneuvered the helicopter where the skids were still on the ground, but lightly touching and not supporting its entire weight. The helicopter made a slight yaw to the left which accelerated into a rapid spin to the left that he could not correct with right pedal input. In an attempt to arrest the spin, the pilot closed the throttle, lowered the collective, and closed the mixture control. On the fourth rotation, the tailboom struck a pole-mounted fire extinguisher, and the helicopter came to rest upright. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter. He further stated that his heavy coat and boots worn to combat the unseasonably cold weather may have interfered with the flight controls.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.