Robinson R44 accident near Gorst, WA
On May 11, 2001, a Robinson R44 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Gorst, WA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 11, 2001
- Place
- Gorst, WA
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 47.467°N, 122.702°W
- NTSB ID
- 20010522X00993
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 11, 2001, approximately 0922 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R44, N111PH, registered to a private individual and operated by Classic Helicopter Corp., as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, experienced an in-flight breakup while maneuvering about three miles south of Gorst, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was destroyed by impact damage and post-crash fire. Both the flight instructor and private pilot were fatally injured. The flight originated from Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington, about 15 minutes prior to the accident. Most witnesses were at various locations on the Trophy Lake Golf Course located about one-quarter to one-half mile away. One witness reported that he heard a sound and glanced up to see the helicopter initially traveling toward the golf course, then looked as if forward flight stopped before it made "some radical flight maneuvers." The witness described a sound difference with the main rotors before it lost 75 to 100 feet in altitude. The helicopter then made a "radical snap roll" maneuver before beginning a "cork-screw" dive. Prior to impact, the witness noticed that at about 200 to 250 feet above ground level, the tail rotors separated followed by the tail section separation at about 100 to 150 feet AGL. The witness then lost sight of the helicopter in the trees. Shortly thereafter, the witness heard an explosion and observed smoke. One other witness reported similar circumstances. Several other witnesses reported hearing a "loud bang," "popping,
Probable cause
An abrupt application of the tail rotor/anti-torque pedal by an unknown pilot resulting in tail rotor contact with the tail boom. Tail rotor blades and empennage assembly separation, and trees were factors.
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Browse: Washington · Robinson aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
