Robinson R44 N744MD

Summary

On 19 June 2005 at about 19:30 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N744MD, operated by Drakes Landing, Inc., was involved in an accident near Rayville, Louisiana, United States. 4 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

19 June 2005 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Rayville, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

32.4117, -91.8433

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N744MD

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Drakes Landing, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Rayville → Rayville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW05CA169

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's loss of control following an encounter with loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A contributing factor was the high density altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The 597-hour private pilot was departing on his third flight to the north. Immediately after take-off the helicopter spun to the right and the low rotor rpm warning sounded. The pilot stated "that as soon as the right yaw was felt, left rudder was applied but had no effect". At about 20 feet above the ground, the pilot entered an autorotation. The pilot further stated that, " evidently, I flared too much and the tail boom struck the ground". After the rotor stopped, the pilot and three passengers exited the helicopter. The FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21), page 11-10, states, "Under certain conditions of high weight, high temperature, or high density altitude, you might get into a situation where the (rotor) rpm is low even though you are using maximum throttle". The handbook continues, " since the tail rotor is geared to the main rotor, low main rotor rpm may prevent the tail rotor from producing enough thrust to maintain directional control". There was no mechanical deficiencies prior to the accident. The NTSB Investigator in Charge calculated the density altitude at 2,033 feet, and the take-off weight to be within 100 pounds of the helicopters maximum certified weight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.