Robinson R44 N7530B

Summary

On 28 June 2020 at about 00:45 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N7530B was involved in an accident near Pioche, Nevada, United States. 3 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

28 June 2020 at 00:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Pioche, Nevada, United States

Coordinates

37.9811, -114.6047

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N7530B

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Panaca → Caliente Flight Strip

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR20CA197

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s decision to fly at low level over mountainous terrain and his inability to recover when the helicopter encountered a downdraft that resulted in a collision with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the helicopter was flying over mountainous terrain, about 500 ft agl, with moderate wind and turbulence conditions. After he slowed the helicopter to 60-70 knots it suddenly and uncontrollably descended at a rapid rate in a severe downdraft. The pilot maneuvered toward lower terrain to accelerate but was unable to arrest the descent before the helicopter collided with the ground tail first. The helicopter fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.