Robinson R44 II N7530U

Summary

On 25 March 2025 at about 21:55 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N7530U, operated by Flap Air Helicopter Service Inc, was involved in an accident near Hobbs, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and 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.

Date

25 March 2025 at 21:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Hobbs, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Lea County Rgnl (HOB)

Coordinates

32.6873, -103.2175

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N7530U

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Flap Air Helicopter Service Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR25LA118

1 person had minor injuries.

The student pilot’s loss of directional control during a hover, which resulted in an impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was on going on a solo flight after being endorsed and completing a dual instruction flight. As the helicopter lifted into a hover, the instructor saw the student jerk the collective and the helicopter spun to the right. The student attempted to recover with cyclic control inputs, but the helicopter dynamically rolled over and impacted terrain. Subsequently, the fuselage and drivetrain sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.