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March 11, 2023 · Robinson Helicopter R44 · N4164T

De Kalb, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 11, 2023
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
De Kalb, TX
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R44 (2008)
Tail Number
N4164T
Operator
Hotel Sierra Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN23LA130

The flight was conducted to hunt feral hogs. The pilot reported that a group of hogs had entered a large field, and he lowered the collective to maneuver the helicopter closer. When he lowered the collective, he perceived a loss of engine and rotor speed. The helicopter immediately began to lose lift. Once the pilot realized that he could not recover the helicopter, he attempted a running (skid-on) landing. However, the landing skids got stuck in the muddy field, the helicopter rocked forward, and the main rotor blades struck the ground causing the aircraft to roll over. The pilot reported the low rotor speed warning did not activate when the rotor speed started to decay. He also stated that all required preflight checklists were complied with before the flight began and no anomalies were noted. A postrecovery examination was unremarkable with exception of the low rotor warning system, which was not operational at the time of the examination. Specifically, the warning system did not activate when the collective control was brought off the low pitch stop and increased to full travel. The reason for the failure of the low rotor warning system was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter due to his failure to maintain rotor speed. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the helicopter’s low rotor speed warning system.

Full Narrative

On March 11, 2023, about 1530 central standard time, a Robinson Helicopter R-44, N4164T, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near De Kalb, Texas. The pilot and one passenger were not injured, a second passenger sustained minor injuries, and a third passenger was seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The flight was conducted to hunt feral hogs. The pilot reported that a group of hogs had entered a large field, and he lowered the collective to maneuver the helicopter closer. When he lowered the collective, he perceived a loss of engine and rotor speed. The helicopter immediately began to lose lift. Once the pilot realized that he could not recover the helicopter, he attempted a running (skid-on) landing. However, the landing skids got stuck in the muddy field, the helicopter rocked forward, and the main rotor blades struck the ground causing the aircraft to roll over. The pilot reported the low rotor speed warning did not activate when the rotor speed started to decay. He also stated that all required preflight checklists were complied with before the flight began and no anomalies were noted. The helicopter sustained damage to the fuselage, main rotor blades, and tail boom. The aft portion of the tail boom, with the tail rotor assembly attached, was separated from the remainder of the airframe. It was located adjacent to the fuselage at the accident site. Postrecovery airframe and engine examinations, which included an 8-minute engine run, did not reveal any evidence of an in-flight structural failure, a flight control malfunction, or an inability of the engine to produce rated power. Although, the separated portion of the tail boom and tail rotor assembly were present at the accident site, they were not with the wreckage when recovered. The postrecovery examinations were unremarkable with exception of the low rotor warning system, which was not operational at the time of the examination. Specifically, the warning system did not activate when the collective control was brought off the low pitch stop and increased to full travel. The low rotor warning indicator bulb illuminated, and the warning horn emitted an audible sound when electrical current was applied. The reason for the failure of the low rotor warning system was not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CST
Nearest AirportN/A (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R44
Tail NumberN4164T
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHotel Sierra Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-F1B5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 8 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.62 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data