Robinson R44 N441KA

Summary

On 14 February 2020 at about 16:55 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N441KA was involved in an accident near Marfa, Texas, 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

14 February 2020 at 16:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Marfa, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.9819, -104.3869

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N441KA

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2005

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Marfa → Marfa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20CA085

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during low-altitude maneuvering.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was flying the helicopter parallel to a 10-ft-tall fence while herding cows into a livestock pen. While maneuvering, the tail rotor struck the fence, and the helicopter spun multiple times. The helicopter ascended about 10 ft, and the pilot retarded the throttle and lowered the collective to the full-down position to minimize the rapid right spin. The helicopter impacted the ground and came to rest upright. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive system and tailboom.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.