Robinson R44 II N841SA

Summary

On 22 December 2010 at about 20:20 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N841SA, operated by TGB Equipment Leasing LLC, was involved in an accident near Hemphill, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 December 2010 at 20:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Hemphill, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Private field

Coordinates

31.2353, -93.6878

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N841SA

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

TGB Equipment Leasing LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hemphill → Hemphill

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN11CA126

2 people had minor injuries.

The student pilot’s improper decision to carry an unauthorized passenger and the passenger’s loss of control of the helicopter during take-off.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the helicopter’s owner, who held a student pilot certificate, flew with a passenger from a local airport to a lake house. Upon departure from the lake house, the passenger was at the controls of the helicopter. As the helicopter started to lift off from the ground, it made a sharp turn to the right. The student pilot added that he was unable to take the controls from the passenger and regain control of the helicopter. The helicopter’s tailrotor struck the ground and the helicopter subsequently rolled left and into the lake, where it sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, main and tailrotor blades.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.