Robinson R-44 II N233TR

Summary

On 2 April 2003 at about 15:00 local time, a Robinson R-44 II registered N233TR, operated by Thomas Hughes, was involved in an accident near Willcox, Arizona, United States. 2 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

2 April 2003 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Willcox, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

32.2453, -109.8947

Aircraft

Robinson R-44 II

Registration

N233TR

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Thomas Hughes

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tucson → St Louis

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX03LA123

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the alternator belt which resulted in the failure of the main drive belt.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot executed an emergency landing after experiencing a drive belt failure. During cruise flight, the alternator light illuminated and the ammeter showed a drop. The pilot turned off all nonessential electrical equipment. The pilot heard a "thump," which was followed by the smell of burnt rubber. About 15 seconds later, the clutch light illuminated and the pilot heard a "thud." The pilot lowered the collective and both lights continued to illuminate. The pilot then entered an autorotation and pulled the clutch circuit breaker. As the helicopter settled from the flare, it contacted a "clump" of dirt. The helicopter tipped forward, which bent the forward portion of the skids, and resulted in the main rotor striking the tail boom. No preimpact anomalies with either the airframe or engine were discovered. The main rotor drive belts were found in the drive compartment in a shredded condition. The alternator belt was not recovered. I

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.