Robinson R44 N3025J

Summary

On 4 July 2017 at about 19:45 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N3025J was involved in an accident near Easton, Pennsylvania, 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 2017 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Easton, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Braden Airpark (N43)

Coordinates

40.7422, -75.2431

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N3025J

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Belmar/Farmingd → Easton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA383

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s distraction during liftoff due to the tail rotor chip warning light illuminating, which resulted in the helicopter drifting right, the skid touching down, and a dynamic roll-over.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, during liftoff, the tail rotor chip warning light illuminated "and distracted me for a moment." The helicopter drifted to the right, the right skid contacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive shaft, the horizontal stabilizer, and the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.