Robinson R44 N19DV

Summary

On 21 August 2009 at about 22:00 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N19DV, operated by Dooley Aviation, Inc., was involved in an accident near Tonopah, Nevada, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 August 2009 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Tonopah, Nevada, United States

Coordinates

38.1178, -117.7158

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N19DV

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Dooley Aviation, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tonopah → Tonopah

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09LA411

3 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maneuver the helicopter within its performance capabilities while at a low altitude in mountainous terrain and in high density altitude conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was providing aerial surveillance of a car that was in an off-road rally race. A passenger recalled that they had just climbed over a hill, and made a low banking turn to get behind a car that was in the race. He saw a steep cliff-like ridge ahead, and was concerned about hitting it. As they cleared the ridge by about 20 feet, he heard the engine sound change pitch. The helicopter banked right, and slowed down. The passenger heard the pilot say "no" several times as well as “come on,” followed by the sounding of a horn. The helicopter collided with the ground, touching down on the skids. The helicopter turned as it went downhill, and rolled over onto its right side. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The density altitude was calculated to be about 10,300 feet. Examination of the performance charts for the helicopter indicated that, at the weather parameters for this flight, the power required for the maneuvers attempted exceeded the power available.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.