Robinson R44 II N69MP

Summary

On 11 July 2014 at about 13:15 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N69MP was involved in an accident near Englewood, Colorado, United States. 4 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

11 July 2014 at 13:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Englewood, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Centennial (KAPA)

Coordinates

39.6096, -104.9498

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N69MP

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Englewood → Ogallala

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14CA360

Nobody was injured.

The pilot did not maintain control of the helicopter during the takeoff resulting in low rotor rpm and impact of the fuel trailer during the running landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

One witness reported seeing the helicopter transition to the west with "low power indications" and "multiple yaws." The helicopter settled to the ground and then struck a fuel trailer near the taxiway, resulting in substantial damage to the tail boom. According to the pilot, he transitioned the helicopter to a hover and taxied adjacent to the taxiway. When he attempted a forward takeoff from the hover, the "low rotor rpm warning sounded, the helicopter lost lift," and he performed a "running landing." He stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter during the flight. An examination of the helicopter confirmed that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.