Robinson R44 N544SB

Summary

On 19 February 2022 at about 18:10 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N544SB, operated by HD Aviation Services LLC, was involved in an accident near Miami Beach, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 February 2022 at 18:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Miami Beach, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

None

Coordinates

25.7782, -80.1269

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N544SB

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

HD Aviation Services LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Marathon → Hollywood

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA22LA131

3 people were seriously injured.

A loss of engine power due to a stuck valve, which resulted in an autorotation and a hard landing in water.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot was flying about 450 ft above ground level over water paralleling a coastline. The engine suddenly developed a violent shaking and vibration, and engine power was lost. The pilot entered an autorotation, flew toward shallow water, and impacted the water hard about 10 seconds after the onset of the vibration. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction; however, the examination and teardown were significantly limited due to corrosion as a result of postaccident saltwater immersion. Engine manufacturer guidance indicated that the helicopter was at an increased risk of stuck valves due to being operated in a region with high ambient temperatures, in addition to operating at lower altitudes and slower airspeeds. Within the year preceding the accident, a total of four engine cylinders had been overhauled and replaced due to stuck valves and low compression. The postaccident examination found no evidence of a stuck intake or exhaust valve. Given the engine’s repeated history of stuck valves and low compression, combined with the pilot’s reported sensations felt during the loss of power, and the lack of any evidence of catastrophic engine failure, it is likely the engine again experienced a stuck valve, which resulted in the loss of engine power and a forced landing in water. At the time of the accident, the helicopter was 37 flight hours past its manufacturer-required 100-hour inspection interval. Had the inspection intervals been followed, it is possible evidence of valve sticking may have been identified, as it had been several instances within the year before the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.