Robinson R44 II N442RS
18 December 2009 · Abilene, Texas, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 18 December 2009 at about 19:38 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N442RS, operated by Price Family Holdings LLC, was involved in an accident near Abilene, Texas, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 19:38
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Abilene, Texas, United States
- Nearest airport
- Abilene Regional (ABI)
- Coordinates
- 32.4114, -99.6819
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II
- Registration
- N442RS
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Price Family Holdings LLC
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Big Spring → Abilene
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN10CA082
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the air taxi with shifting winds.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
While air-taxiing the helicopter away from the runway, the helicopter encountered an unexpected gust of wind while passing near a hangar. The private pilot lost control of the helicopter and was unable to regain control before the helicopter's tail rotor impacted the ground. The helicopter subsequently landed hard and remained in the upright position. Neither the pilot nor the passenger were injured. An onscene examination of the helicopter by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors failed to reveal any preimpact anomalies. The pilot reported that there were no known mechanical malfunctions or failures.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R44 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 May 2009 | Robinson R44 II | Meredith, New Hampshire, United States | Glenn L. Tonnesen | No injuries | - |
| 19 Jul 2009 | Robinson R44 | Silver Spring, Pennsylvania, United States | Advanced Helicopter Concepts | No injuries | - |
| 23 Apr 2009 | Robinson R44 II | Kent, Texas, United States | Jobeco Materials LLC | No injuries | - |
| 15 Oct 2009 | Robinson R44 | La Belle, Florida, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 3 May 2009 | Robinson R44 | Cottonwood, Arizona, United States | Guidance Helicopters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 2009 | Robinson R44 | Boonsboro, Maryland, United States | Advanced Helicopter Concepts | Fatal | 4 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Apr 2009 | American Legend AL-3C | McKinney, Texas, United States | McRight-Smith Aviation, LP | No injuries | - |
| 2 Oct 2009 | Beechcraft A36 | Refugio, Texas, United States | Aero Mark JM LLC | Minor injuries | - |
| 3 Oct 2009 | Beechcraft E18S | Jones Creek, Texas, United States | Brazoria County | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 2009 | Robinson R22 BETA | O'Donnell, Texas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Jun 2009 | Meyers OTW | Haskell, Texas, United States | Ashbach Richard P | No injuries | - |
| 11 Dec 2009 | Piper PA-30 | Port Mansfield, Texas, United States | Harvey W. Kiniken, Jr | Fatal | 2 |