Robinson R44 N488AS

Summary

On 3 July 2017 at about 00:15 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N488AS was involved in an accident near Bella Vista, California, United States. 4 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured, 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

3 July 2017 at 00:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Bella Vista, California, United States

Coordinates

40.6697, -122.1783

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N488AS

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Redding → Redding

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR17LA140

2 people were seriously injured.

A partial loss of engine power during low-altitude maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that, while making a left descending turn in the helicopter about 75 to 100 ft above a pond to set up for landing to a field, he heard three "pops," followed by the low rotor horn sounding and the caution light illuminating. The pilot assumed that the engine had lost power, and he immediately and abruptly lowered the collective, pulled aft on the cyclic, and rolled the throttle to full open. To avoid obstructions, he steepened the right turn. Realizing that the rotor rpm was below 50% and that the helicopter would not reach the field, he subsequently landed the helicopter on the pond; it then sank. The pilot was unsure if the engine was running or not. Postaccident airframe and engine examinations revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.