Robinson R44 N90SG

Summary

On 7 July 2005 at about 00:30 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N90SG, operated by David K. Jowers, was involved in an accident near St. Cloud, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 July 2005 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

St. Cloud, Florida, United States

Coordinates

27.7671, -81.6862

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N90SG

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

David K. Jowers

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

St. Cloud → St. Cloud

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

MIA05CA133

1 person had minor injuries.

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with a palm tree resulting in the in-flight collision with it, and subsequent uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with the ground.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that after departure the flight proceeded to his property nearby, then he elected to return to the helipad where the flight departed. Upon approach to the helipad he noted a horse trailer obstructed one side of the helipad and a mowing trailer obstructed the other side of the helipad. He hovered over the top of both then decided to perform a 160 degree pedal turned to the left. He reported that he "lost my focus on a palm tree and consequently struck the tree with [the] tailboom which caused a main rotor strike. Hence the accident."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.