Robinson R44 II accident near Ponte Vedra Bch, FL
On March 27, 2007, a Robinson R44 II (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Ponte Vedra Bch, FL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 27, 2007
- Place
- Ponte Vedra Bch, FL
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 30.232°N, 81.376°W
- NTSB ID
- 20070405X00374
Official records · DEN07FA079
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 27, 2007, approximately 1030 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44 II single-engine helicopter, N744SH, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during cruise flight near Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Silver State Helicopters, LLC, North Las Vegas, Nevada. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight departed the Craig Municipal Airport (CRG), Jacksonville, Florida, approximately 1010. According to Silver State personnel, the local instructional flight was scheduled for a time block between the hours of 0900 and 1100. The flight was originally scheduled to be conducted in the Robinson R22 helicopter; however, due to a scheduling conflict, the R22 was not available. Due to the conflict, the Silver State local management then allowed the instructor and student to conduct an orientation and familiarization flight in the R44 helicopter. The route of flight was scheduled for an east departure from CRG, south along the Atlantic Ocean coastline to St. Augustine, then back to CRG. Several witnesses observed the helicopter approximately 200 to 500 feet above ground level (agl) in cruise flight along the coastline on a southerly heading. One witness, a former pilot and mechanic, reported he observed the helicopter in straight and level flight, then heard a change in "rotor noi
Probable cause
the mechanic's improper installation of the attachment hardware for the servo to swashplate push-pull tube joint which resulted in a disconnection, subsequent loss of control, and impact with terrain. Contributing factors were the company management's inadequate surveillance and enforcement of maintenance procedures, the excessive maintenance workload due to inadequate staffing of maintenance pers
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Browse: Florida · 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.
