Robinson R44 II N744RM

Summary

On 2 January 2013 at about 23:45 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N744RM was involved in an accident near Menard, Texas, United States. One person was 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

2 January 2013 at 23:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Menard, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.9322, -99.8092

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N744RM

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Menard → Menard

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

CEN13CA124

Nobody was injured.

The helicopter landed hard during a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the helicopter was flying west in the direction of the sun and at 250 feet above ground level, the pilot heard a loud "bang" and observed a black object go by the left side of the helicopter. The object struck the passenger-side windshield. The pilot performed a forced landing to a highway. During the forced landing, both landing skids separated and the helicopter slid to a stop. The lower fuselage was buckled and wrinkled in several locations. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.