Robinson R44 II N4054Y

Summary

On 7 February 2024 at about 01:15 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N4054Y was involved in an accident near Tupelo, Mississippi, 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

7 February 2024 at 01:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Tupelo, Mississippi, United States

Coordinates

34.2272, -88.6330

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N4054Y

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2013

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tupelo → Tupelo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

CEN24LA112

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water during a dark night landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while attempting to land at his private helipad near a lake at night, he was unable to determine his height above the water. As he prepared to return to the departure airport, the tail rotor contacted the water. The pilot attempted to climb, but the helicopter began an un-commanded yaw to the right. The pilot reduced power and lowered the collective. The helicopter subsequently impacted the water and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor, tail boom, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.