Robinson R44 II N512RT
16 July 2021 · Princeton, Kentucky, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 16 July 2021 at about 17:20 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N512RT, operated by Tomkat Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Princeton, Kentucky, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:20
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Princeton, Kentucky, United States
- Coordinates
- 37.0714, -87.7597
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II
- Registration
- N512RT
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2006
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Tomkat Aviation LLC
- Operating rule
- Part 137: Agricultural
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial Application
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ERA21LA292
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning in that he failed to accurately determine the takeoff weight of the helicopter, which resulted in exceeding the helicopter’s maximum weight capability.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Before takeoff to spray a nearby cornfield, the helicopter was filled with about 50 gallons of spraying solution and a passenger was onboard to assist the pilot with the navigation system. According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff, the low rotor rpm warning light illuminated, and the helicopter “just wouldn’t fly.” The pilot was unable to stay aloft and made a hard landing in a field. An examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the airframe and partial separation of the tail boom. Examination of the engine and its components revealed no anomalies that would have resulted in a loss of power. The helicopter’s estimated takeoff weight was 2,641.4 lbs., which was 141.4 lbs. over its maximum gross weight of 2,500 lbs. After the accident, the pilot told his spouse that he knew the helicopter was “barely overweight but felt it would be fine.” Given that no mechanical anomalies were found, it is likely that the loss of rotor rpm was the result of operating the helicopter in an overweight condition.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R44 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Sep 2021 | Robinson R44 II | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Universal Helicopters | Minor injuries | - |
| 7 Jun 2021 | Robinson R44 | Ma'ale Edomin, Israel | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Oct 2021 | Robinson R44 | Lytkarino, Russia | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 2 Jan 2021 | Robinson R44 | Eaglesham, Canada | - | Fatal | 4 |
| 9 Jan 2021 | Robinson R44 II | Albany, Texas, United States | S2 Helicopter Services LLC | No injuries | - |
| 21 Aug 2021 | Robinson R44 II | Gonzales, Louisiana, United States | Down River Aviation LLC | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Aug 2021 | Cessna 172R | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | Louisville Aircraft Leasing LLC | No injuries | - |
| 20 May 2021 | Robert Trembly JA20 HIGHLANDER | Central City, Kentucky, United States | Trembly Robert | Minor injuries | - |
| 10 Dec 2021 | Beechcraft V35 | Crab Orchard, Kentucky, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 24 May 2021 | Munson Roger J RV-8 | Van Cleve, Kentucky, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 24 Aug 2021 | Schmitt JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER | Crittenden, Kentucky, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Mar 2021 | Cessna 182Q | Flemingsburg, Kentucky, United States | GUD LUK Cruzin, LLC | No injuries | - |