Robinson R44 II N7535G

Summary

On 27 July 2017 at about 02:45 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N7535G, operated by Orbic Air LLC, was involved in an accident near Santa Ana, California, 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

27 July 2017 at 02:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Santa Ana, California, United States

Nearest airport

John Wayne Airport-Orange Coun (SNA)

Coordinates

33.6756, -117.8683

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N7535G

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Orbic Air LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Santa Ana → Burbank

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

WPR17LA167

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while maneuvering during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that during takeoff, the helicopter rolled to the right, and he was unable to arrest the roll with cyclic input. The right skid and main rotor blades struck the ground, and the helicopter spun 360° before it came to rest upright with the tail rotor assembly severed from the tailboom. Postaccident examination of the flight control system revealed flight control continuity with no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter at the time of the accident. Thus, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain helicopter control while maneuvering during takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.