Robinson R44 N7194S

Summary

On 17 March 2004 at about 05:30 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N7194S was involved in an accident near Ocala, Florida, 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

17 March 2004 at 05:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ocala, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Ocala International Airport (KOCF)

Coordinates

29.1728, -82.2242

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N7194S

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ocala → Ocala

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Bright

NTSB number

MIA04LA061

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the helicopter following a reported loss of engine power after picking up to a hover from a dolly.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that after lifting off a platform to a 3-5 foot hover with all engine indications in the green and the governor on, the engine experienced a loss of power and began descending. The helicopter had drifted to the left a bit off the dolly and one of the skids contacted the dolly and the helicopter rolled onto its left side but came to rest on its right side. The pilot had the helicopter recovered and placed back in his hangar before NTSB or FAA notification. Numerous attempts were made by the NTSB investigator-in-charge to gain access to the hangar for the purpose of removing the engine from the helicopter for an attempted engine run; the pilot/owner did not respond to these attempts. Review of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form submitted by the pilot revealed that the yes and no blocks were marked in the area titled, "Mechanical Malfunction Failure." According to a preliminary police report, after being notified by an anonymous phone call, they arrived at the airport, opened the hangar, and noted the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter while it was in the hangar was performed by an FAA airworthiness inspector. The inspector reported that the helicopter sustained substantial damage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.