Robinson R44 N41351
3 June 2019 · Cass, Arkansas, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 3 June 2019 at about 00:50 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N41351, operated by D & C Aviation Llc, was involved in an accident near Cass, Arkansas, United States. 4 people were on board and 3 died, one was seriously 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 00:50
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Cass, Arkansas, United States
- Coordinates
- 35.7053, -93.7950
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44
- Registration
- N41351
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2008
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- D & C Aviation Llc
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN19FA160
People
3 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot and three passengers departed on a local sightseeing flight at a music festival. The helicopter impacted a densely wooded area and came to rest between trees on its right side. The surviving passenger stated to the media that the helicopter’s engine made sounds “like your car does when it runs out of fuel.” Examination of the helicopter at the accident site indicated evidence of main rotor blade rotation; however, damage to the engine drive system did not reveal evidence of engine power at the time of impact. Additionally, the oil pressure warning light bulb filament was found stretched consistent with illumination at the time of impact, which according to the helicopter’s operating handbook, may be one indication of a loss of engine power. About 5 gallons of fuel was drained from the helicopter following the accident, with no evidence of fuel contamination. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R44 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Oct 2019 | Robinson R44 | Pretoria, South Africa | International Trade And Commodities | No injuries | - |
| 29 Jun 2019 | Robinson R44 | Parsons, West Virginia, United States | Ali Co | Serious injuries | - |
| 17 May 2019 | Robinson R44 | Alpine, Utah, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 19 May 2019 | Robinson R44 II | Tai Po, China | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 28 Sep 2019 | Robinson R44 | Sanford, Maine, United States | York County Helicopters | Serious injuries | - |
| 10 Jul 2019 | Robinson R44 | Mt Tremblank, Canada | - | Fatal | 2 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 May 2019 | Cessna 182 | Crossett, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 24 Sep 2019 | Cessna 150 | Prairie Grove, Arkansas, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 1 Jul 2019 | Beechcraft A23 | Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States | Southern Eagle Flight School | No injuries | - |
| 17 May 2019 | Ayres S 2R | Stuttgart, Arkansas, United States | Farmers Aerial Seeders | No injuries | - |
| 15 May 2019 | Sikorsky S76 | Morrilton, Arkansas, United States | Arkansas Childrens Hospital | No injuries | - |
| 24 Mar 2019 | Champion 7EC | Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |