Robinson R44 N3040P

Summary

On 13 March 2024 at about 17:00 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N3040P was involved in an accident near Knox City, Texas, 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.

Date

13 March 2024 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Knox City, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Harrison Field (F75)

Coordinates

33.4361, -99.8155

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N3040P

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Graham

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN24LA135

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a rollover and an impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During takeoff in the helicopter, the pilot reduced collective control input. Once the skids began to lift off the ground, the pilot felt the helicopter spin to the left. The pilot applied corrective right pedal input and pulled up on the collective. Once the skids were off the ground, the helicopter spun harder to the left, and the pilot could not overcome the spin. The helicopter rolled onto its side, which resulted in substantial damage to the tail boom, fuselage, and main rotors. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.