Robinson R44 N7040U
10 February 2014 · Orlando, Florida, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 10 February 2014 at about 14:30 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N7040U, operated by Air Force LLC, was involved in an accident near Orlando, Florida, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 14:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Orlando, Florida, United States
- Nearest airport
- Premium Heliport (7FA5)
- Coordinates
- 28.3798, -81.4792
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44
- Registration
- N7040U
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2013
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Air Force LLC
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Orlando → Orlando
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ERA14CA143
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection in which he failed to remove the tail rotor covers, which resulted in the failure of the tail rotor drive shaft during engine start.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
According to the pilot, while conducting a preflight inspection, he overlooked the removal of the tail rotor covers. He started the helicopter and shortly thereafter he heard a "snap", and the helicopter began to "shake". The helicopter was immediately shutdown and a visual inspection revealed substantial damage to the tail rotor drive shaft. The pilot reported no other preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R44 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Sep 2014 | Robinson R44 II | Macedonia, Iowa, United States | Johnson Helicopter Services | Fatal | 1 |
| 23 Jul 2014 | Robinson R44 | Ivashka Township, Russia | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 5 Sep 2014 | Robinson R44 | Roeselare, Belgium | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 9 Feb 2014 | Robinson R44 II | Panacea, Florida, United States | Tallahassee Helicopters, Inc. | Fatal | 2 |
| 25 Apr 2014 | Robinson R44 II | Liberty, Missouri, United States | Eid-Co | No injuries | - |
| 5 Jul 2014 | Robinson R44 | Novosheshminsk, Tatarstan, Russia | AK Bars Aero | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Apr 2014 | Cirrus SR20 | Sanford, Florida, United States | Boston Aviation Leasing II LLC | Minor injuries | - |
| 29 Oct 2014 | Curtiss-Wright P 40B | New Smyrna Beach, Florida, United States | Collings Foundation | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jan 2014 | Cessna 172S | Immokalee, Florida, United States | Rexair Sales & Leasing LLC | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jul 2014 | Pipistrel ALPHA TRAINER | Pompano Beach, Florida, United States | Second Wind Aircraft Services Inc | No injuries | - |
| 3 Nov 2014 | Cessna 172M | Everglades City, Florida, United States | Pilot Training Center LLC | No injuries | - |
| 21 Oct 2014 | Itec MAVERICK | Dunnellon, Florida, United States | Itec Inc | Serious injuries | - |