Robinson R44 N7184N

Summary

On 26 February 2021 at about 21:40 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N7184N, operated by Top Gun Precision Ag LLC, was involved in an accident near Dunn, Texas, 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

26 February 2021 at 21:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Dunn, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.5534, -100.8888

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N7184N

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1999

Engines

1

Operator

Top Gun Precision Ag 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

CEN21LA155

Nobody was injured.

The loss of rotor RPM for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and two passengers were completing an aerial gunning flight. The helicopter was flying at 80 ft above ground level (agl), when the pilot heard the “rotors droop” and the “engine bog down.” He stated that he applied right pedal and increased the throttle input, but the engine did not respond. The helicopter descended into the trees and impacted the ground. The main rotor blades and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The investigation was unable to determine the airspeed of the helicopter and the reason for the loss of rotor RPM based on the available evidence. A postaccident examination and engine functional test run revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.