Robinson R44 II N74546

Summary

On 4 July 2010 at about 18:30 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N74546 was involved in an accident near Austin, Texas, United States. One person was 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

4 July 2010 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Austin, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Private Helipad (N/A)

Coordinates

30.4081, -97.8764

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N74546

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Austin → LagoVista

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10CA369

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter, resulting in impact with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to ensure the door was properly secured prior to flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter had just departed a private heli-pad when the pilot's door opened. The pilot stated he became distracted trying to close the door and hit some trees and had a hard landing. Examination of the helicopter showed some of the main rotor blades were bent and separated, and the fuselage was bent. The pilot stated there was nothing wrong with the helicopter prior to impact.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.