Robinson R44 II N557AC
7 December 2012 · Roosevelt Lake, Arizona, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 7 December 2012 at about 21:46 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N557AC, operated by Blue Sky Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 2 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 21:46
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Roosevelt Lake, Arizona, United States
- Nearest airport
- Scottsdale Airport (KSDL)
- Coordinates
- 33.7367, -111.2017
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II
- Registration
- N557AC
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Blue Sky Helicopters
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Business
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Scottsdale → Scottsdale
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- WPR13CA064
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's visual disorientation, which resulted in a collision with the lake.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot descended the helicopter out of mountainous terrain and then continued over a large mountain lake, cruising about 100 knots at an altitude of about 200 to 250 feet. The lake water was very clear and perfectly calm. The pilot looked inside the cockpit to check instruments, and when he looked outside and below the helicopter, he experienced a feeling of mental confusion similar to vertigo. At this point the pilot estimated that the helicopter was between 15 and 20 feet above the water. He pulled aft on the cyclic, the helicopter impacted the water, pitched forward, and sank. The pilot and his two passengers were able to egress the helicopter while it was submerged. Immediately after the accident the pilot told a park ranger who was on-scene that he was traveling a little low and thought he set a skid in the water. One of the passengers stated that moments before the collision with the water, the pilot had asked them if they wanted to get closer to the water and if they wanted to chase some birds.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R44 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Sep 2012 | Robinson R44 II | McMinnville, Oregon, United States | Harris Robert G | Minor injuries | - |
| 14 Jul 2012 | Robinson R44 II | Red Oak, Iowa, United States | Johnson Helicopter Services, LLC. | No injuries | - |
| 26 Nov 2012 | Robinson R44 II | Corona, California, United States | LAW Offices of James C Bechler PC | Fatal | 1 |
| 9 Jun 2012 | Robinson R44 | Teisendorf, Germany | Schulter Planungs und Ausfuhrungs - GmbH | Fatal | 4 |
| 30 Sep 2012 | Robinson R44 | Nocona, Texas, United States | Darren L Fenoglio Inc | Minor injuries | - |
| 10 Jun 2012 | Robinson R44 II | Santa Teresa, New Mexico, United States | S M Hentges & Sons Inc | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Apr 2012 | Luscombe 8E | Winslow, Arizona, United States | Morne Juan Van Staden | No injuries | - |
| 29 May 2012 | Piper PA28R | Peoria, Arizona, United States | Westwind Aviation Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 23 Nov 2012 | Eurocopter AS350B3 2B1 | Newfield, Arizona, United States | Department of Homeland Security | Minor injuries | - |
| 25 Sep 2012 | Cessna 150 | St Johns, Arizona, United States | Ronald Yearman | No injuries | - |
| 23 Nov 2012 | Piper PA-28-160 | Tacna, Arizona, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 24 Nov 2012 | Piper PA30 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |