Robinson R44 II N272SW
14 June 2008 · Missoula, Montana, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 14 June 2008 at about 17:45 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N272SW, operated by Mission Mountain Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Missoula, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Missoula, Montana, United States
- Nearest airport
- Missoula International (MSO)
- Coordinates
- 46.9164, -114.0906
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II
- Registration
- N272SW
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Mission Mountain Helicopters
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Missoula → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX08CA182
People
2 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Probable cause
The student's inadvertent control interference, which the flight instructor was unable to overcome. A contributing factor was the instructor's poor crew coordination in his failure to verbally command the student to relinquish the controls and his inadequate supervision of the flight.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The flight instructor was having the student practice landing approaches. With an airspeed of 60 to 65 knots, the student initiated a left base turn, lowering the collective, and adding aft cyclic for a normal approach to an open field. During the turn, the instructor noted that the helicopter was descending faster than anticipated, and that "the collective was too far down, the cyclic was too far back, and [the student] had a tight hold on both controls." The instructor attempted to regain control but could not move the collective or cyclic due to the student's grip on the controls. The instructor said that no words were spoken as he struggled with the student for control of the helicopter for a period of 3 to 4 seconds. The helicopter landed hard, rolled onto its left side, and instantly caught on fire. Both occupants exited the right door. The helicopter was destroyed by fire.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R44 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Mar 2008 | Robinson R44 | Montgomery, New York, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 29 Aug 2008 | Robinson R44 II | Ridgedale, Missouri, United States | Central Illinois Air Corp | Fatal | 2 |
| 15 Jan 2008 | Robinson R44 II | Fenner, New York, United States | Adkins Aviation | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Jan 2008 | Robinson R44 | Ochopee, Florida, United States | Donald S. Mills | Fatal | 2 |
| 15 May 2008 | Robinson R44 II | Lake Wales, Florida, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 6 Sep 2008 | Robinson R44 II | Marathon, Florida, United States | Frezo Financial LLC | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Aug 2008 | Cessna TR182 | Spotted Bear, Montana, United States | Minuteman Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 26 Jun 2008 | Beechcraft A36 | Ryegate, Montana, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 2008 | Bellanca 7GCBC | Helena, Montana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 May 2008 | Cessna 172 | Big Timber, Montana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 31 Aug 2008 | Piper PA-22-150 | Dillon, Montana, United States | Dennis A. De Vivo | No injuries | - |
| 21 Dec 2008 | Cessna 180C | Great Falls, Montana, United States | - | No injuries | - |