Robinson R44 II N754R

Summary

On 15 April 2015 at about 21:00 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N754R was involved in an accident near Dunlap, Illinois, 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.

Date

15 April 2015 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Dunlap, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

40.9225, -89.6789

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N754R

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kankakee → Pekin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN15LA198

Nobody was injured.

A loss of main rotor rpm for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot stated he and the passenger were conducting a helicopter flight to observe and count geese at an altitude of 300 ft above the ground at an indicated airspeed of 60 knots. The pilot increased the collective to transition to another area when he noticed an increase in engine rpm and a decrease in rotor rpm along with the illumination of a main rotor warning light. The clutch warning light did not illuminate. The pilot initiated a downwind autorotation to a plowed field. The helicopter tipped forward on its skids, the main rotor contacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled over. Although a postaccident examination of the clutch and V-belts revealed some limited component wear, and some minor anomalies to the best tension actuator were noted, no anomalies were identified with the clutch system that would have resulted in a loss of main rotor rpm.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.