Robinson R-44 N744RG

Summary

On 24 October 2007 at about 19:45 local time, a Robinson R-44 registered N744RG was involved in an accident near Catarina, Texas, 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

24 October 2007 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Catarina, Texas, United States

Coordinates

28.4306, -99.2304

Aircraft

Robinson R-44

Registration

N744RG

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wimberley → Catarina

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW08LA020

Nobody was injured.

The loss of control due to the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees while hovering . A contributing factor was the low altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The certificated flight instructor lost control of the single-engine helicopter while hovering out of ground effect while on a deer counting flight. The pilot added that the helicopter was hovering into the wind when he experienced a "thump" in the flight controls followed by an uncontrollable right turn after the helicopter contacting a tree. It was reported that the low-rotor RPM audio sounded and the pilot lost control of the helicopter. The helicopter came to rest on its left side.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.